ARMAGH’S Lauren McConville is the latest LGFA recruit to Australian Rules football, signing for Gold Coast Suns as an injury replacement player ahead of the 2024 NAB AFLW Premiership Season.
Crossmaglen star Lauren (29), a niece of Armagh legend Oisin McConville, will join the Suns on a one-year contract, replacing the injured Sienna McMullen – who was ruled out of the 2024 season with an ACL injury.
Signing off in Armagh’s All Ireland semi-final defeat by Kerry, team vice-captain Lauren will become the club’s fourth Irish recruit, following in the footsteps of Niamh McLaughlin, Clara Fitzpatrick and Cara McCrossan.
Suns Head of Women’s Football, Fiona Sessarago, says McConville will bring a unique blend of attributes to the club’s AFLW program.
“Lauren is a tenacious player who has competed at a high-level in Ireland and also has experience playing with the Sherrin in country Victoria,” Sessarago said.
“Given the recent success of players like Niamh, Clara and Cara with the SUNS, we believe there is more untapped talent in Ireland and are excited to see what Lauren can produce in her first season with the club.
“She has elite speed and line-breaking capabilities and an ability to hit the scoreboard which we look forward to seeing at AFLW level this season.”
Lauren is no stranger to Aussie Rules, having taken a sabbatical in 2019 to play a season with the South Warrnambool Roosters women’s team in country Victoria.
In her first season of Australian women’s football, McConville won the Roosters’ best and fairest.
She will now travel back to Australia to join her teammates for pre-season training in the coming weeks.
