The fierce grind of professional sport was irresistible as Irishman Colin O’Riordan left Gaelic football for the bright lights of the AFL in 2015. 

And a new two-year deal means plenty of top-level sport lies ahead for the daring Sydney Swans defender.

O’Riordan, who’s set to remain in red and white until at least the end of season 2021, was both talented and passionate about Gaelic football in his youth.

The county Tipperary native was named Gaelic football’s 2014 young player of the year and twice earned All Ireland honours.

But he’s found his true element in Australia.

“The opportunity to play professional sport was massive,” O’Riordan said.

“The GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) is an unbelievable organisation and I absolutely loved playing Gaelic football, but at the end of the day it’s not professional. I want to be testing myself against the best and over here you have the opportunity to test yourself against elite athletes, test yourself against professional sportspeople and see what the professional sporting lifestyle is like. I wanted to test myself in a new sport and in a professional environment and see how far I can get.”

O’Riordan has enjoyed a dream 12-month period and sees his fresh deal as “the cherry on top”.

The 23-year-old ran out for his AFL debut as Sydney met North Melbourne in Round 17 last season, and he’s since become a mainstay of the Swans’ top-tier side.

He’s featured in 10 of a possible 16 senior games this season, including the last nine, and he booted his first AFL goal in Sydney’s gripping win over Essendon in Round 8.

Alan O’Riordan watched on from the SCG’s MA Noble Stand as his younger brother Colin slotted his breakthrough goal on the back of a 100-metre penalty.

Nine weeks later, the re-signed O’Riordan has kicked an even bigger goal, and he said inking the new deal iced a surreal 12 months.

“It’s been unbelievable. The contract is the cherry on top. The last 12 months have been an absolute rollercoaster. I’ve loved every minute of it,” O’Riordan said.

“This club gave me an unbelievable opportunity and I want to repay the faith, which is what drives me, I came over initially to play AFL football and last year I got the chance, and now I’ve been given another two years which is the cherry on top.”