Colin O'Riordan

Colin O'Riordan (born 12 October 1995) is an Irish former professional Australian rules footballer for the Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League (AFL) and the current coach of the Sydney Swans AFLW side. Before leaving Ireland O'Riordan played Gaelic football as a midfielder for the Tipperary senior team.

Born in Templemore, County Tipperary, O'Riordan first played competitive Gaelic games during his schooling at Our Lady's Secondary School. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of fifteen when he first linked up with the Tipperary minors teams as a dual player before later joining the under-21 sides.

O'Riordan's father, Michael, and his brothers, Kevin and Alan, have also played at various levels with Tipperary.

O’Riordan started the 2011 All-Ireland minor football final for Tipperary at wing back. Tipperary went on to beat Dublin narrowly.

O’Riordan played a pivotal role in the journey to the 2015 u21 All-Ireland football final loss to Tyrone.

O'Riordan made his senior debut during the 2014 league. O'Riordan immediately became a regular member of the starting fifteen and has won one National League (Division 4) medal.

At club level O'Riordan plays both Gaelic football and hurling with J. K. Bracken's.

On 22 November 2020, O'Riordan who had returned to Ireland had permission from the Sydney Swans to play for Tipperary in the 2020 Munster Final, which Tipperary won 0-17 to 0-14 against Cork. It was Tipperary's first Munster title in 85 years.

In January 2021, O'Riordan was nominated for an All-Star award.

In October 2015, O'Riordan signed a rookie contract with the Sydney Swans in the AFL.

In 2018, O'Riordan trained under 2005 premiership Swan Tadhg Kennelly. On 15 July 2018, O'Riordan became the third Irish player to play for Sydney, making his debut in round 17 against North Melbourne.

In August 2022, O'Riordan announced his retirement from the AFL due to a chronic hip injury. He played 34 games since joining the Sydney Swans in October 2015.

Following his retirement, he remained at Sydney in various coaching roles including AFL Women's (AFLW) assistant coach and male academy head coach. Ahead of the 2026 season, he was named as the Swans' AFLW senior coach. This made him the first Irish senior coach in the history of the VFL/AFL and AFLW.

Updated to the end of round 23, 2022.

Tipperary

• National League (Division 4) (1): 2014
• Munster Under-21 Football Championship (1): 2015 (c)
• All-Ireland Minor Football Championship (1): 2011
• Munster Minor Football Championship (2): 2011, 2012
• Munster Senior Football Championship (1): 2020

Awards

• EirGrid Under-21 Player of the Year (1): 2015

• Irish experiment

• Colin O'Riordan's profile on the official website of the Sydney Swans

• Colin O'Riordan at AustralianFootball.com

• Colin O'Riordan's playing statistics from AFL Tables