By:
Conor Martin
Colin O’Riordan has made history as the first Irish coach in the AFL/AFLW, taking over at the helm of the Sydney Swans AFLW team.
The 30-year-old former Tipperary star, an All-Ireland minor and Munster SFC winner, joined the Swans as a player in 2015 but retired in 2022 due to hip injuries.
He stayed on in Sydney in a coaching capacity, including as head of the U/18 academy and AFLW assistant, before landing the top job, making history in the process.
The appeal of Australia and Australian rules football has long drawn Gaelic footballers and Ladies’ Gaelic footballers, with many swapping the Emerald Isle for Down Under.
That is in no danger of changing any time soon; in fact, over 40 Ladies Gaelic footballers are set to play in the AFLW in 2026 following Monday’s draft.
Colin O’Riordan – AFLW Senior Coach role is a ‘huge honour’
From Templemore, O’Riordan made his mark as a 15-year-old wing-back on Tipperary’s 2011 All-Ireland minor-winning team.
He captained the Under-21s in 2015, losing a tight All-Ireland final to Tyrone, before joining the Sydney Swans later that year and missing Tipp’s 2016 semi-final run.
His Tipperary story wasn’t finished. Back in November 2020, with the Swans’ blessing, he started at midfield as Tipp lifted their first Munster title in 85 years.
O’Riordan played 34 games over seven injury-hit years with the Swans before being forced to retire from the game.
It’s clear the former footballer is relishing the role at a club he knows very well.
“Ever since I arrived at the Sydney Swans as a player, I fell in love with the place, so to be trusted with the role as AFLW Senior Coach is a huge honour,” O’Riordan said in an interview with Irish state broadcaster RTÉ.
“I have a lot of faith in the current playing list, and I think we have the foundations of a successful team.”
Playing experience will allow O’Riordan to coach with confidence and clarity
O’Riordan’s rich playing and coaching experience gives him the tools to express his coaching craft with confidence and clarity.
His elite playing career taught him the nuances of high-level football, from tactics to player psychology. At the same time, his leadership roles in Tipperary and the Swans’ academy sharpened his ability to communicate, motivate, and adapt to different personalities.
Years as an AFLW assistant coach have allowed him to translate that knowledge into practical game plans, training structures, and team culture.
This combination of insight, experience, and hands-on coaching equips O’Riordan to articulate his vision effectively, make smart in-game decisions, and inspire his players to perform at their best.
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