Amy Boyle-Carr keen to ‘step it up’ in AFLW next season at the Adelaide Crows

Amy Boyle Carr says she wants to move to the next level in 2025 in the AFLW with the Adelaide Crows.

The Glenties girl made good progress in her debut season at a club where it’s notoriously difficult to make an instant impression.

And while the player admits she was content enough to have broken into the first-team ranks last term, Boyle-Carr explains that the target this time out is to hit the ground running and cement her sport in a side that will once again be gunning for Grand Final glory.

The Naomh Conaill and Donegal star admits that she didn’t really know what quite to expect when she departed for Oz late last summer.

However, she soon settled in her new abode thanks to the help of former Crow and Donegal teammate Yvonne Bonner, as well as Mayo’s Niamh Kelly in Adelaide.

“There was loads of trepidation before going out there as it’s such a transition on so many levels,” she said. “I remember thinking ‘what if I go out here and absolutely hate it?’

“There are so many factors to contend with never mind the fact you’re moving halfway around the world.

“The shape of the ball, the field, the structures and even the different set plays, it’s a completely different ball game.

“But the Crows were so good, so patient with me but a lot of work went in, and will continue to go in when I get back, trying to reach the next level. It’s a serious challenge but it’s rewarding and I’m loving it.

“Even the oval ball, you’re first aim is to master that and the kicking of it as it’s a completely different skill.

“I’ll try to wrap my foot around the ball in Gaelic or soccer but this had to be through the laces and a very straight sort of posture.

“I kicked it around a little with Niamh McLaughlin here at home but the club themselves, they really set about that when I arrived”.

Adelaide itself has also lived up to expectations and it’s exactly how Yvonne Bonner told her it would be. And she has instantly clicked with the Crows’ other Irish export, Niamh Kelly.

“Yvonne was so helpful in terms of the club and just the location itself. I wasn’t going to Melbourne or Sydney where you’d be bumping into so many others from home.

“But Adelaide is lovely. Yvonne spoke so highly of it and she was so right. I got really lucky as well as Niamh Kelly has been brilliant.

“I knew of her before going out but never spoke to her. She’s been a serious help, as have all the other girls to be fair. It’s such a family-originated feel there at the Crows.

“Like, that started as soon as I stepped off the plane. I was all sleepy-eyed and suddenly they were all there to meet me. That was a lovely touch.

“It’s been a really great experience so far. Yeah, I’d say it has exceeded expectations. You hear so many people talk about Australia but it’s only when you come out here yourself that you understand.

“Going out there, to be able to park everything else and just concentrate on football has been amazing. It makes you think and appreciate just how hectic the juggle back home is.

“You definitely have an even greater appreciation for all of that, what the men and woman’s county teams do.

“Because I went out late after Donegal finished up, I wanted to immerse myself in it as much as possible.

“And any extra work I wanted to do, there were specific coaches available whenever it was wanted to do those sessions with you.

“Everything is there at your complete disposal. And having the time for that, to just dive right in, it was really beneficial. The facilities and the technology, it’s just all geared towards improvement”.

Boyle-Carr - who was capped at senior International level for the Republic of Ireland in the past - says she also loves the contrast between the intensity of training and playing professional sport to the downtime spent away from the field.

“The spare time you have, people choose to sleep, go to the beach or whatever. I love dropping by somewhere for a coffee or a catch up. I’m really liking that balance.

“I think they call it ‘pressure hours’ and at home, you have that in terms of work and your football. Here, that only comes with the sport and your other time is all about resetting and relaxing.

“That sort of cooling off period is really beneficial. The sole focus is football. But your downtown is linked insofar as it’s recovery time.

“It also allows you to think and look at nutrition and plan ahead to what you’re going to be eating and that preparation just bumps things a little further.

“At home, you’re running from work, running from college and often eating on the run so to speak. You sometimes have to grab what you can.

“Even if one of the girls picks up a knock here in training, they’re in for a scan an hour later and it’s just all geared towards performance and getting the best out of yourself.

“Like I said, county players at home deserve so much credit because it’s only when you experience this that you realise just how much effort it takes to juggle sport and life back home”.

In regards to how she’s settled in on the field, Boyle-Carr says she appreciates that she’s made good progress. Still, she insists she needs to lift things further if she’s to become a regular starter.

“I had to be patient early on as I was still literally getting to grips with a new sport. At a side like the Crows, you really have to earn it, your spot I mean.

“I made my debut in Round 4 and I was itching to get going. But there were other girls that didn’t get out of the blocks until much later in the season and some didn’t make their debuts at all.

“I have to appreciate that it was decent progress for me. I played six games in the end and the coaches and other players were explaining that’s really good for a new arrival.

“Personally, I wanted to get going sooner and I wanted to be involved in even more games. But I think that’s a good way to be.

“So headed into the 2025 season, I want to step it up. I’ll have to if I want to play more games and from the very off.”

A new start date for the AFLW season and an extended playing calendar means the 45 Irish girls currently on the books of professional clubs in Australia won’t be in action for their counties next term.

Having signed a new two-year deal with the Crows, Boyle-Carr won’t be available for new Donegal boss James Daly in 2025.

Tanya Kennedy, Sydney Swans, hasn’t played for Donegal since the season before last while current captain Niamh McLaughlin is headed into a third term with the Gold Coast Suns.

She hasn’t yet publicly stated her intentions but because of the calendar clash, it looks extremely doubtful any type of concession will be made there.

“I plan to go back out in March and to get that full pre-season under my belt,” said Boyle-Carr. As a new player, still getting used to it, I have to get that time built up.

“I’d a decision to make before Christmas and with pre-season much earlier in Australia this time out, something had to give.

“Like I said, if I’m serious about playing even more games this season I need to give myself the best chance possible.

“Not playing in the finals last year, the last round of games, that’s spurred me on and I want to go out and do it right this time - leave no stone unturned”.