Two-time All-Ireland winner Mary-Kate Lynch says it was “hard to say no” to the opportunity of pursing a professional career in the Women's AFL.

It was confirmed two weeks ago that the Meath defender had linked up with Sydney Swans for the 2026 AFLW season.

The Summerhill woman, who played at full-back in the Royals’ All-Ireland SFC final wins of 2021 and 2022, has become the fourth Irish player to join the Swans’ AFLW squad, with Julie O’Sullivan, Tanya Kennedy and Paris McCarthy already having penned deals with the Sydney club.

"I suppose there's five off that All-Ireland team, the 2021-22 team that have gone to the AFL, including myself," Lynch told RTE Radio 1's Inside Sport.

"But also retirements in there, different reasons, people go travelling. It's mad to think in the space of a couple of years, how much it can change.

"But again it is sad and it's hard to leave the GAA and the Ladies football on this side of things. It's hard to say no to the opportunity that is put in front of you then at the same time.

"Over in Australia, you're a full-time athlete. You can focus on your training and you can focus on your recovery, making sure you're eating the right meals and prepping the right meals and having your days off.

"Whereas here it can be a little bit difficult to do that and that's the nature of the game."

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