LYNDSEY DAVEY hasn’t ruled out joining her fellow Dublin colleagues Sinead Goldrick and Niamh McEvoy down under, but says that playing Aussie Rules football isn’t for her at present.
Goldrick and McEvoy are among 18 ladies Gaelic footballers who have switched codes, and have begun their new careers in recent weeks.
“It’s definitely something I have considered, but with my career over here, and just getting time away from work it is something that would probably be very hard to do,” the Skerries Harps woman told Dublin Gazette at the launch of Mitsubishi Motors’ new partnership with Dublin GAA as official vehicle sponsors.
“I’ll never say no to an opportunity, unless you explore it properly. But, at the moment, it’s just not the right time for me.”
Davey says it’s hard for girls to turn down the chance to play professional sport.
“From a personal point of view, if girls are getting the opportunity, it’s hard to turn it down in a professional setup,” she said.
“Some 18 players went over this year. But, next year and for the years after that, their season is going to be extending and there are going to be more games.
“I think, at the moment, the girls are in a position where they can make the decision to go over and play, and then still come back earlyish on in the league and then have plenty of time before championship.
“I think, in a couple of years’ time, the girls will have to make a decision one way or the other. Then it will be interesting to see if girls commit to playing with their county, or going over to Australia.
“At the moment, they are able to have the best of both worlds. But I think, down the line, that’s not going to be possible, so it will be interesting to see the impact that it is going to have, and what will the players choose.”
Davey says she’s been keeping in touch with Goldrick and McEvoy, to see how they are progressing Down Under.
“We’ve been in contact with WhatsApp,” Davey said.
“Obviously, with the time difference it’s very hard, but everyone is wishing them well.
“I’ve been keeping in personal contact with them.
“Both of them had their debuts in the past two weeks, and it was great to see.
“Everyone is wishing them well, and hopefully they come back in one piece.”
Aussie Rules talk aside, it’s back to league action for Dublin this weekend, where they host Galway on Sunday.
Dublin sit in fourth place with four league points after three games, while Galway are in second spot behind Cork on six.
“I think there’s definitely chances for us to win games, or at least get draws,” Davey said.
“There are just too many negative turnovers on our part.
“It’s definitely one of the things we are disappointed with, but one of the positives is that there are a lot of young girls getting game time.
“We drew against Tipp, and had a good result against Mayo, so it’s fantastic for those girls to get that experience.
“They are just upping the standard, and it makes it more difficult for girls coming back in to up it again!”
