Andrew Ireland (footballer)

Andrew Ireland (born 7 March 1953) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Collingwood Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

Ireland was born and raised in London to the age of 4 when his family migrated to Australia.

Ireland, who came to Collingwood from Ivanhoe, started his career as a forward and kicked 17 goals in his debut season before moving into defence. Usually playing on a half back flank, Ireland finished with 110 senior games and was a member of three losing Grand Final teams at Collingwood, 1977, 1979 and 1980. He represented Victoria in an interstate match against Tasmania in 1978.

Following his premature retirement at the age of 27 Ireland went into football administration and from 1990 to 2001 was the CEO of the Brisbane Bears/Lions. He also served as the Director of Football at the Sydney Swans.