Mayo’s Sarah Rowe says her Australian future is uncertain following an ultimatum from county boss Peter Leahy.
Rowe is one of a number of ladies footballers across the country who have taken the opportunity to play in the fledgling AFLW in the last couple of years before returning to play Championship football for their county but, speaking in May, Leahy said it was time for players to choose one or the other.
“For me and management to say, ‘If you go to Australia, you won’t be part of the panel,’ it’s absolutely the worst thing to have to say but we have to move forward for what’s best for Mayo,” he said.
Rowe has lined out for Collingwood while county teammates Grace and Niamh Kelly have played with West Coast Eagles and Aileen Gilroy has been on the books of North Melbourne, though there apparently has been no sit-down with Leahy on the matter as yet.
“We haven’t met up or had one on one conversations,” said Rowe. “I’m sure that conversation is down the tracks as well but like I said, I just don’t know at the moment.
“Things are too uncertain. Travel restrictions are too uncertain. All those kind of things. And until all that changes, I won’t know what I’m doing.
“But I completely respect where Peter is coming from and understand as well the position he’s in. So whatever decision we make will be the right one for us. Yeah, we’ll see down the line. But right now, not sure.”
Whether AFLW clubs will be in a position to lure Irish players is another matter entirely given the COVID-19 situation, with a spike in cases in the State of Victoria seeing its border to New South Wales closed off this week.
Rowe continued: “The future is quite uncertain still for everyone. The signing date is between the 1st and 17th of August. So it’s down the tracks. But there’s been no conversations about it at the moment.
“People are focusing on covid and all that stuff. So until that all subsides, I don’t think there will be any talk until the start of August.
“So until then, I don’t know what I’m at. I’m still taking it day by day and training with my club. And then I’ll try and make a decision after that.”
Rowe admitted that she found the lockdown refreshing in ways.
“It’s been good. I’ve really enjoyed the precious time with my family. It’s time you’ll never get back. That side of things has been lovely.
“It’s been nice to get a break from training, mentally and physically. I don’t think I’ve had that ever in my life. I really miss being around the girls and having that team camaraderie, so that’s something I’ve been delighted to be back involved with now.
“There’s this buzz now again, being back with all the girls.”
- Sarah Rowe was speaking at the launch of ‘Lidl Moves’, part of the 20x20 campaign, which has been created to encourage and motivate women of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to give themselves the gift of exercise and form a new and lasting exercise habit for the good of their physical and, more importantly, mental health.
