Adelaide Irish recruit Kayleigh Cronin’s journey to the Crows’ nest has been a whirlwind.
The 28-year-old lined up in a Gaelic football League Grand Final with County Kerry just two days before jumping on a plane to fly more than 16,000km to her new home in Adelaide.
Cronin, who signed on as a rookie with the Crows in December, hardly had time to celebrate Kerry’s National League Division 1 final win, but was met with smiles at the airport by her new AFLW teammates.
"I was lucky enough that the Crows knew I wanted to play as long as I could with Kerry and they gave me the freedom to do so," Cronin said.
"We ended making making the final, so the final was on Saturday and I flew out on Monday morning.
“There was not much time to celebrate, but of course, we still found a way, and it was a nice way to finish.
“I was completely shocked to see all my new teammates at the airport, not all of them live nearby, so to take the time to just come say hello was massively appreciated.”
Cronin’s National League Division 1 final win rounded out a fairytale few seasons with Kerry, after she helped the side claim first All Ireland Senior Final win in 32 years in 2024.
The 181cm left-footer’s performance in the All Ireland Senior Final caught the eye of the Crows’ coaching cohort and Cronin said the time was right for her to make the switch to Aussie Rules.
“After speaking to the Irish girls that play here (at the Crows), they spoke about the high standards, the great coaching staff and they've obviously been very successful,” Cronin said.
“Once they came calling, it was a no-brainer to join.”
Despite having limited experience before signing with Adelaide, Cronin has hit the ground running, following a visit from Crows Assistant Counrtey Cramey, who travelled to Ireland in January.
“I had been kicking on my own for a bit before Courtney and the other Irish girls came to visit me,” Cronin said.
“They taught me the basic techniques - how to kick and mark properly, and ground balls.
“Before that I was just copying what I saw on TV, then when Courtney left, I was able to train with a bit more purpose and know what I was doing.”
Switching codes is, however, not foreign to Cronin.
She played soccer and represented Ireland in discus, before transitioning back to Gelic footy.
“In County Kerry, from the second you start walking, there's a football thrust into your hands,” Cronin said.
“I was also participating in athletics, then when I was about 13, I ended up having to choose between athletics and football and I chose athletics.
“I didn't play football in any of my teenage years and discus became my specialty, the sport took me all around Europe and it introduced me to many people, but it was never the same feeling as I got from playing football.
“I hadn’t played in years, but I missed it, and as soon as I went back, I realised this was the feeling I’d been missing.”
Upon signing with the Crows, Cronin became the fourth Irish player in Adelaide’s AFLW squad, joining All-Australian wing Niamh Kelly, new recruit Grace Kelly and promising rookie Amy Boyle Carr.
Cronin said she was looking forward to the new challenge and was keen for success at the Crows.
“I want to win,” Cronin said.
“That’s what I’m here for.
“Most people would be iit’s Doc’s last season as coach so sending him off with a flag would be phenomenal.
“I just want to push my body and see how far we can go.”
Members of Adelaide’s AFLW squad, including Cronin, will combine with Brisbane players for a practice match against Sydney, as part of optional training this Saturday.
The Crows will then take part in a final pre-pre season practice match against Sydney on May 3 in Adelaide.
Pre-season will then officially begin on Monday, May 19, ahead of the 2025 campaign kicking off in August, with the fixture set to be released in the coming months.
