GAA
Jackies help set up unique All-Ireland decider with Meath
By Daire Walsh
FOR THE first time in the history of the competition, this year’s All-Ireland Senior Ladies Football Championship final will be an all-Leinster affair.
While defending champions Dublin – as expected – booked their spot in the national decider for an eighth consecutive year following their 1-17 to 2-9 victory against Mayo at Croke Park last Saturday, Meath upset the odds with a semi-final triumph over Cork in the same venue 24 hours later to set-up a mouthwatering clash with the Metropolitans at GAA HQ on Sunday, September 5 (throw-in 4.15pm).
What makes Meath’s achievement last weekend all the more remarkable is the fact they were All-Ireland intermediate champions in 2020.
The Royals had certainly defied expectations by reaching the last-four of this year’s senior championship, but were seemingly heading for the exit door when trailing Cork by six points with time almost up on Sunday.
However, Stacey Grimes and Emma Duggan struck quick-fire goals to take the game into extra-time and, with momentum on their side, the resilient Meath ultimately advanced.
Because of their considerable stint away from the top-tier, you have to go back to 2016 for the last championship showdown between Dublin and the Royal County.
Under the management of Gregory McGonigle at the time, the Jackies recorded a convincing 3-19 to 2-4 win.
Although a much tighter game is anticipated on this occasion, Dublin will nevertheless be hot favourites to claim the Brendan Martin Cup for the fifth year in succession.
The return of Clondalkin native Hannah Tyrrell to the inter-county fold has added an extra dimension to the Dublin team this year.
Indeed, the former Ireland rugby international kicked five points in Croke Park last weekend to bring her tally for the championship to 0-19 from just four games.
Tyrrell – who got married just two days before facing Mayo – wasn’t the only local interest on the day as Thomas Davis duo Olwen Carey and Siobhan McGrath lined up with Orlagh Nolan of Ballinteer St John’s in the Jackies half-back line.
A former Republic of Ireland U19 soccer international, Nolan got forward to kick a late point and is in line to start her first All-Ireland senior final.
Lucan Sarsfields teenager Abby Shiels is the back-up goalkeeper on this Dublin panel and will be aiming to push regular netminder Ciara Trant for the number one jersey against Meath over the coming weeks.