A resident of Irvinestown in Fermanagh has co-founded a ladies Gaelic football team for Irish women living in France. Mairead Malone, who has resided in Paris for more than three years, established the France Irish team alongside Aisling Fee. The squad consists of players from all four provinces of Ireland and more than 13 counties who have lived in France for at least one year.

The team plans to compete in the open category at an event in Waterford this year. The initiative arose from Irish women in France who represented Europe at the 2023 GAA World Games in Derry. A separate French national team exists for players of French nationality.

Malone previously played for St Molaise club in Irvinestown and at county level for Fermanagh. After moving to Paris, she joined Paris Gaels. In 2023, she became Ladies Football Officer for that club. This year, she joined the board of the French Federation for Gaelic Games and took the role of Ladies Football Officer for Gaelic Games Europe.

France has 1,300 registered Gaelic games players, with 90 percent holding French nationality. The France Irish team requires funding for travel, accommodation and equipment to attend the GAA World Games this summer. Contact details are available for potential sponsors.