Geelong Cats have finalised their 2024 AFLW list, announcing the signing of Irish dual-sport athlete Kate Kenny.
Kenny, from County Offaly, is a star in both Gaelic Football and Camogie, playing for Naomh Ciaran (Club Football), St Rynaghs (Club Camogie) and representing DCU at University level in both sports.
The 22-year-old boasts a range of attributes that is set to hold her in good stead for her switch to Australian Rules football, with her athleticism, agility, evasiveness, and speed key elements of her game.
Kenny is a natural forward and will join fellow Irish-born players Aishling Moloney, Rachael Kearns and Anna-Rose Kennedy in the Cats AFLW squad for the 2024 season.
Geelong Cats Assistant General Manager – Football Brett Johnson said the Cats were excited to welcome Kenny to their AFLW program.
“Kate has been a standout athlete in both Gaelic Football and Camogie, and we’ve had our eye on her for some time and we are thrilled to be able to bring an athlete of her calibre,” Johnson said.
“Her prowess in multiple sports speaks volumes about her abilities, and we’re eager to see how she adapts to the transition into AFLW.
“With Kate’s signing, we have finalised our list for the 2024 season, and we look forward to welcoming the squad back for preseason in June.”
Kenny was part of the DCU Dóchas Éireann team which new Cats teammate Anna-Rose Kennedy captained to victory in the O’Connor Cup last year, with Kenny named Player of the Match, and was also a member of the Ashbourne Cup winning side with DCU’s Camogie team.
Kenny was also named an HEC All Star in 2023, the LGFA Player of the Month March 2023, was Player of the Match as her team won the All Ireland Intermediate Club Football final in 2019, and again in the All Ireland Intermediate Club Camogie final in 2020.
Kenny’s signing takes Geelong’s Irish contingent up to seven, with the Offaly star joining fellow Other Sport Rookies Aishling Moloney and Anna-Rose Kennedy (both from Tipperary) and Mayo multi-sport athlete Rachel Kearns. The Cats also have Zach Tuohy, Mark O’Connor and Oisin Mullin on its AFL list.
Geelong Cats 2024 AFLW List
New players: Kate Kenny, Bella Smith (trade), Chantal Mason (pick 18), Bryde O’Rourke (pick 23)
2024 Geelong Cats AFLW playing list: Mikayla Bowen, Amy McDonald, Darcy Moloney, Jackie Parry, Julia Crockett-Grills, Kate Surman, Kate Darby, Nina Morrison, Georgie Rankin, Meghan McDonald, Liv Fuller, Chloe Scheer, Shelley Scott, Chantel Emonson, Anna-Rose Kennedy, Brooke Plummer, Zali Friswell, Becky Webster, Rachel Kearns, Claudia Gunjaca, Gabbi Featherston, Abbey McDonald, Georgie Prespakis, Mel Bragg, Aishling Moloney, Erin Hoare.
