Letterkenny's Leona Russell to play in AFL Masters National Carnival

Letterkenny woman Leona Russell will feature in the 41st AFL Masters National Carnival, the largest mass participation football event in Australia which begins this Sunday.

Russell will be on the Western Australia 35s Gold Team.

Over 1,400 players will take part in the competition held at the Fremantle Oval with their opening game on Sunday.

The area will welcome 2,500 visitors from all eight Australian states and territories and Russell is part of the WA squad managed by Sandra Dow and coached by Nikki Harwood.

In August, 2017, Russell - a daughter of Drew and Molly Russell from Derryveagh Avenue in Letterkenny - played for the Irish Banshees Australian Rules team who won the AFL International Cup in Australia.

Before moving Down Under, she played for Bonagee United, where she was club captain and Letterkenny Gaels.

She has been based in Perth since emigrating in November 2018 and maintained her sporting prowess.

Next week’s event will be shown live on Kommunity TV with Russell’s side in action on Sunday and Wednesday. If they win both games, they will go through to the Grand Final

”With a home Carnival, we expect that Western Australia will have one of its strongest Carnivals ever,” said AFL Masters Western Australia President Nathan Dixon. “We are excited to welcome all the States and Territories to Fremantle, but all bets will be off once the siren sounds to start each match. Expect the typical Western Australian spirit to shine through this week.”