Quick Facts
Biography
Aisling McCarthy (born 24 February 1996) is an Australian rules footballer playing for Western Bulldogs in the AFL Women's (AFLW).
Early life
From Cahir, County Tipperary in Ireland, McCarthy began playing Gaelic football from the age of seven. She also played camogie, captaining her club Cahir to victory in the 2016 All-Ireland intermediate finals. In 2017, McCarthy was the player of the match in Tipperary's victory in the All-Ireland Intermediate Ladies' Football Championship, scoring one goal and four points. She was also named the TG4 Intermediate Player's Player of the Year.
Her interest in Australian football began in 2015 when Colin O'Riordan, a Tipperary footballer, moved to the Sydney Swans. In September 2018, she was among 18 international prospects to attend the CrossCoders program, a week-long Australian football camp held in Melbourne.
AFLW career
McCarthy was drafted by the Western Bulldogs with pick 23 in the 2018 AFLW national draft. She debuted in round 2 of the 2019 season against Geelong at Whitten Oval, kicking her first goal in the third quarter. At the season's conclusion, McCarthy re-signed with the Bulldogs for the 2020 season; she played six matches and kicked five goals in her first year.