Ladies Gaelic Football

8 // Ladies Gaelic Football Association LAUREN MAGEE PEIL Autumn | Issue No 3 | Volume 14 a profound impact last year as Dublin reclaimed the All-Ireland title for the first time since 2010. But this generation of Dublin player still hadn't beaten Cork in a big championship fixture, and the manner of this success will surely inspire even more young girls to try their chances in the footballing ranks. "Any day you go out and represent your county you feel pride. That's what you are there to do. You are there to represent, not just yourself, but your whole county," said Magee. "Going out in a Dublin jersey it gives me a massive sense of pride, not just with the girls but with the whole management team. "My dad and uncle out playing for them years ago. I always grew up looking at them. I always had a few girls, the likes of Denise Masterson would have been my inspiration as a footballer growing up, Niamh McEvoy too. "Now with the platform and coverage we are getting, all of the work that the LGFA, Lidl, TG4 and AIG are giving us, especially with Dublin a lot of girls are looking up to our team. "It doesn't sink in how much you could make someone's day. I would always have gone to the men's matches. I would only have had so many girls that I could look up to. "But now there is so much coverage, way more than what it used to be. It took years for that to happen." Magee is the daughter of former Dublin footballer Johnny Magee, and her uncle Darren Magee, also played for the Sky Blues. But now Lauren has confirmed herself as the star of the household, and the growth of the Ladies football has only increased the hunger to achieve more. "Last year, running out seeing the upper tier in the Cusack, I couldn't believe that. I told my friends to get tickets on the way in. But going out again this year you could tell it had gone up," said Magee. "The whole Cusack was packed. It's amazing to see. It's surreal. You are trying to focus on the game and not the crowd. But you can't help but notice how many people come out to support you. "It's the same people, there are girls from my club especially, that come to every match. It's great to see them in Croke Park. And see them going around with the cup as well." That hunger must return for 2019 when Cork will be back for revenge and Dublin aim for a third Brendan Martin Cup in a row. "We kind of briefly went through all of the matches again last year. But you might dissect it a bit more if you lose," said Magee. "Looking back at previous years what we done and what we could have done better. That's the key for what you work on. "I have thoroughly enjoyed the years I have played for Dublin but especially the last few years. The background team have been immense. They are professionals in everything they do. "Mick Bohan doesn't put down his book. He literally has a blue book that he is writing in the whole time. All of the work the guys do behind the scenes. That stuff has gone unseen but it's amazing." Sarah Rowe of Mayo in action against Lauren Magee of Dublin

• Cover