The 20-year-old is the captain of the Tipperary camogie team and also plays Gaelic football while also juggling her study commitments at the University of Limerick.

Her dream of signing on as a professional athlete was a dream come true.

“AFLW is something completely new for me and I’m looking forward to the challenge that’s involved with learning a new sport and living in a completely different country,” she said. 

“I think it’s great for women’s sport to have this opportunity and I’ve decided to choose AFLW while I’m still very young and because it’s such a great experience.”

Having watched other Irish players in the AFLW over the past few seasons, O'Dwyer was inspired to apply to global platform CrossCoders, who then helped her get in touch with the Lions.

Conversations started to the beginning of 2019 and it took off from there.

“It all happened so fast but I’m really happy with my final decision,” she said.

Watching her highlights from Australia, coach Craig Starcevich was impressed by O’Dwyer’s speed, power and aggression.

“She’s a tremendous athlete who’s got great power and speed but is tough too,” he said.

“Watching the way she attacks a game both in camogie and football – well, there was a lot to like about the way she goes about it.”

O’Dwyer will arrive in Australia in October to begin her new career in the AFLW.