Rule change allows Irish AFLW stars to avoid Australian quarantine

Sinéad Goldrick, Lauren Magee, Bríd Stack and Cora Staunton among those to benefit

Cora Staunton links back up with the Greater Western Sydney Giants next Monday. Photograph: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
Cora Staunton links back up with the Greater Western Sydney Giants next Monday. Photograph: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

A change to quarantine rules in Australia means that a number of Irish AFLW players will not have to undergo the customary two-week period confined to a hotel room and will be able to return to training with their clubs earlier than expected.

Melbourne's Dublin pair, Sinéad Goldrick and Lauren Magee were the first beneficiaries of the decision to reduce the length of quarantine for fully vaccinated people, getting word at short notice to pack their belongings.

They will return to training on Wednesday.

Cork legend Bríd Stack, who returned for a second tilt at the semi-professional code with Greater Western Sydney after breaking her neck in her first outing in a warm-up game last January, will be released from quarantine on Thursday, along with husband Cárthach Keane and son Cárthach Óg, who have made the trip with her once more.

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Her Giants teammate and another legendary figure of women’s football, the former Mayo star Cora Staunton, will be back in the group next Monday.