LAST weekend saw the 2024 Transatlantic Cup decided, with Ireland emerging victorious after an enthralling win over the United States. A huge part in the success of the Banshees in that match in particular was their captain Amanda Brosnan.

The Kerry native, who plays her Aussie Rules domestically with the Cork Vikings, may not have been the official player of the match but was absolutely crucial across multiple areas of the ground in the Grand Final to help get her Banshees over the line.

AMANDA BROSNAN

Country: Ireland
Playing Number: 9
Position: Defensive Midfielder

Although she is a midfielder, a lot of her impactful work was done in defence. For a midfielder, at times she was playing very deep, almost as a back pocket player trying to work the ball out of the back 50.

Throughout the game, she took a number of intercept marks in different parts of the ground, all of which were crucial in cutting off attacking momentum for the United States.

Not only did she take plenty of intercept marks, but her strong positioning on the last line of defence helped her smother some American shot for goal.

Her ability to hit a target with her kick is pretty strong, which is not always the case for someone who has not grown up with the sport like many Australians have. Her ball drop technique is at times unique though, perhaps a sign of her Gaelic Football background seeping into her game. She also has a fair amount of power in her kick, which is crucial for the clearing from defence job she did for much of the game.

Although she did not spend too much time in attack, she did find herself forward early in the second term and alongside some feeding kicks into attacking 50 she did have a shot at goal that ultimately went wide, but it was Ireland’s first score of the game.