Louth and Pat’s star Kate Flood earns professional AFL deal

Louth captain Kate Flood has signed a professional contract with Ladies AFL side Fremantle, The Democrat has learned.

The St. Patrick’s player, who is the reigning LGFA Junior Player of the Year, is expected to move to Australia in November for pre-season training ahead of the league’s post-Christmas start, which runs from January to March.

It’s understood AFL cross-coders took a close interest in the prolific forward following her exploits during Louth’s run to last year’s All-Ireland JFC final and subsequent award win, which was the attacker’s second time to claim the gong, after success in 2015, the year in which Louth won the All-Ireland junior crown.

Flood is set for an official unveiling this weekend when Fremantle representatives land in Ireland, but will remain part and parcel of Darren Bishop’s Wee County team as they aim to build on a strong Division Four campaign, which saw the Reds reach the semi-finals.

The Pat’s player is expected to be one of a number of Irish players recruited for the AFL competition’s 2020 running.

Flood has soccer pedigree, too, having played at a high level for several years.