SIOBHÁN McGrath played a key role for Dublin as they claimed a third TG4 All-Ireland Senior Ladies Football title in a row at Croke Park on Sunday.
McGrath, along with Thomas Davis colleagues Olwen Carey and Ciara McGuigan and Ballyboden St Enda’s player Rachel Ruddy; were part of a squad that completed a memorable weekend for the capital, after the men claimed a historic five-in-a-row success the previous evening.
An Eoin Murchan goal early in the second half provided the springboard in Dublin’s 1-18 to 0-15 replay win over Kerry on Saturday.
The following afternoon, in front of a record breaking attendance, Foxrock-Cabinteely duo Sinead Goldrick and Hannah O’Neill grabbed Dublin’s goals in their 2-3 to 0-4 final win over Galway.
Weather conditions proved testing on Sunday with rain prevailing throughout, and McGrath said it was a tough afternoon for football.
“I think the conditions did have a massive part to play in it. Errors were happening more often than they would have been if the conditions were better,” she said.
“It obviously meant that you’d be driving up, the ball breaks down, and you are on the backfoot trying to get back, so it did have an impact.”
McGrath, captain Sinead Aherne, Lyndsey Davey and Rachel Ruddy are the only players involved in the squad over 30; and McGrath says it’s still a joy to be involved.
“With the progression of the ladies game, and the likes of what Mick [Bohan] brought in, and the management team we have around us, it’s been very easy for the likes of myself and Lyndsey to get ourselves into the conditioning that we need to,” she said
“I don’t feel my age out there too be honest when I’m out there.
“I think this is great, and good for the ladies game going forward, because you can see all of the other teams there are the same.
“Their conditioning is a lot better than what it used to be.
“It’s what makes me not have to think about whether I want to play for Dublin.
“I want to play and I’m loving every minute of being back and credit to the management team and the girls that are there. They have made it such a joy to be a part of.”
