Colin O'Riordan Biography

Irishman Colin O'Riordan retires from AFL football due to a hip injury.

“Colin has been one of the most popular members of our playing group and he will be sorely missed. It really is an incredible achievement to move to Australia from Ireland, learn a new game and forge a successful AFL career and Colin has been able to do just that," Swans executive general manager of football Charlie Gardiner said.

Colin O'Riordan helps his county of Tipperary to its first Munster Gaelic football championship title in 85 years.

With Sydney's blessing, O'Riordan was part of the Tipperary side that defeated Cork by three points at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Counties Kerry and Cork have shared every Munster title since 1923, except for Tipperary's most recent win in 1935 and a lone win by Clare in 1992.

The victory was extra special for the Tipperary side, as it came on the weekend that Ireland commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Bloody Sunday massacre at Croke Park.

"I can't put it into words. It's the best feeling I've had in many years," O'Riordan said on RTE Sport.

"It just fills me with pride so much and I get emotional even thinking about it, but it's one of the best days of my life and I'm just over the moon."

Colin O'Riordan signs a new two-year deal to remain at Sydney until the end of 2021.

O'Riordan, who took the gamble to travel from County Tipperary to Australia in 2016, has played the past nine games for Sydney and looks finally ready to be a permanent part of the Swans defence.

"You always have to be a bit on edge and that's what I've tried to do, I don't think you can ever really feel settled," he said.

"I'm pretty happy with where I'm at, but there's always room for improvement.

"At times I thought I might not pick up the game, but you have to trust the coaches that keep telling you that you can make it."

Colin O'Riordan makes his AFL debut for Sydney at Docklands Stadium with 17 disposals (9 kicks and 8 handballs), 7 marks and 5 tackles in a 6-point win over North Melbourne.

Colin O'Riordan signs a new two-year deal to remain at Sydney until the end of 2019.

"Such an honour to have signed on for two more years with the Sydney Swans. Love this club," O'Riordan said in an Instagram post.

The Sydney Swans win a three-way bidding war with St Kilda and Essendon to secure the services of Irish teen sensation Colin O'Riordan.

While he's ecstatic to receive an AFL contract, O'Riordan says it might take time to get used to wearing the Swans colours.

"I grew at home hating the red and white because it's (rival county) Cork," he joked.

"The second I stepped foot in Sydney I absolutely loved the place, the people there and the atmosphere, it was just something else."

Swans recruiting manager Kinnear Beatson said the club had no hesitation in offering the Irishman a two-year international rookie contract.

"We think he'll play as a small-medium defender running off half-back," Beatson said.

"The thing that really impressed us is how well he kicks the footy for a guy that's grown up with a round ball, but also his hands were very good over his head and at ground level, and he's just so competitive."