Stunning debut as Ballinamore & Leitrim's Eilish O'Dowd makes history with fastest ever AFLW goal

As debuts go, Eilish O’Dowd had a dream debut in the AFLW on Saturday as the Ballinamore woman became a record breaking, scoring the fastest ever goal in the AFLW in her very first game with the Great Western Sydney Giants in the opening round of the season.

The former Leitrim and Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins star, who won an All-Ireland Senior title with Dublin before she joined the GWS Giants, took possession of the footy right from the first bounce and blasted through the opposition defence to kick a goal after just 15 seconds.

That goal was the fastest ever in the history of the AFLW and set GWS Giants on the road to a comprehensive 10-12 (72) to 1-3 (9) victory over the Western Bulldogs at the Manuka Oval, Eilish later adding a second goal.

WHAT DID WE JUST SEE?

Eilish O'Dowd's first disposal of her career is as good as it gets.#AFLWGiantsDogs pic.twitter.com/ZcPjaKWgiw

— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) August 31, 2024

Aine Tighe was not to be outdone by her fellow county woman as the Kiltubrid woman scored four goals for Fremantle Dockers in their 10-4 (64) to 3-3 (21) victory over Essendon on Saturday, Tighe named among the Docker’s best on the day.

For O’Dowd, it was a day that turned heads as Eilish, recruited for her speed and athleticism, made a huge mark with Giants coach Cam Bernasconi telling the Canberra Times “Since arriving at the club she’s shown an incredible appetite to learn a brand-new sport and her development has been remarkable. To pick up a totally new sport so quickly and perform strongly at the elite level is a credit to her commitment and her talent.”

Speaking to the Canberra Times, Eilish admitted she was stunned by her goal: “I didn't expect that to happen, I wasn't a big goal scorer in Gaelic football so it was an amazing feeling. You don't really have that much pressure on you because it's your first time playing a big game like that, but there were nerves, and I think I turned that nervous energy into excitement.”

A special celebration for Turbo #AFLWDonsFreo pic.twitter.com/ntPS4MmQFs

— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) August 31, 2024

Eilish, whose sister Laura was a key member of Leitrim’s All-Ireland Intermediate championship winning team in August, signed a two year deal with the Giants following a successful trial with the Sydney club.