Meath footballer Mary-Kate Lynch admits the opportunity to have a go at life as a professional athlete was too good to turn down as she gets ready for life Down Under in the Women's AFL.
Last month, it was confirmed that the two-time All-Ireland winner had signed for the Sydney Swans as an international rookie.
The 24-year-old schoolteacher is aiming to get to Australia at the start of May for pre-season before the AFLW campaign gets underway on 10 August.
Lynch is the latest from the Meath All-Ireland winning generation to sample life Down Under. Indeed, over 40 Irish players are expected to be involved in the league for the 2026 season.
And while Lynch admitted it was poignant to see the player drain from these shores, the chance to play sport professionally was a huge carrot.
"I suppose there's five off that All-Ireland team, the 2021-22 team that have gone to the AFL, including myself," she told RTÉ Radio 1's Inside Sport on Wednesday.
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"But also retirements in there, different reasons, people go travelling. It's mad to think in the space of a couple of years, how much it can change.
"But again it is sad and it's hard to leave the GAA and the ladies football on this side of things.It's hard to say no to the opportunity that is put in front of you then at the same time.
"Over in Australia, you're a full-time athlete. You can focus on your training and you can focus on your recovery, making sure you're eating the right meals and prepping the right meals and having your days off.
"Whereas here it can be a little bit difficult to do that and that's the nature of the game."
Before signing for the Swans, Lynch took part in the AFLW national draft combine, aspects of which she likened to a speed-dating format where players and teams can assess their mutual compatibility.
Ultimately, the decision to join the Swans was helped by the presence of former Tipperary footballer Colin O'Riordan as head coach.
"Each club has different values and different ways they run the club," she explained.
"And when you're speaking to them, you're trying to get to know them and would that suit you and what your values are coming from the Gaelic and stuff here.
"But having that Irish connection is massive and with Colin being the manager. He really understands where you're coming from and what you're leaving and really cares about you both developing as an athlete and as a player but also off the pitch and how you're going to adapt to a new lifestyle and moving halfway across the world.
"It definitely had a huge impact and who you liked and who you didn't."
