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20 | SPRING 2019 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie FEATURE to take the Junior title, which turned out to be Kelly's first medal for this team. Coincidentally, that was the first year she took on dual-status herself, but instead of turning to the small ball, Kelly decided her skills as a goalkeeper were more transferrable to playing soccer with the Wexford Youths Women. However, she still commands years of experience in the football ranks, and has seen the ever-changing face of the Ladies football brand over those years. "I see the game changing all the time," said Kelly. "Over the years the game itself has changed too. It has very much changed, with the media's approach to Ladies football. You have seen that with the World Cup and stuff as well. The coverage of Ladies sport is growing and growing. "And just the way women are being treated. You have better quality coaches and mentors wanting to get involved as well. It has evolved fabulously for the game. "It is so much more accessible too. TG4 have been fabulous showing some of the games live. "Our own local papers at home too. They do take a lot of time, and take the space up in their papers, promoting the women's sport. It has definitely changed so much, and for the better." Under the leadership of former men's county goalkeeper, Anthony Masterson, Wexford are gradually improved in the last couple of seasons, and after a couple of tough exits last season in the provincial and All- Ireland competitions, 2019 has started off well. After defeating Meath in the Division 3 Lidl NFL final in 2018, they looked to be one of the favourites for the TG4 Intermediate crown, but losing to eventual champions Tyrone in the quarter-final was a huge blow. But Wexford regrouped in 2019, held steady in Division 2 earlier this year, and then they bridged a 12-year gap when they beat Meath in the TG4 Leinster IFC final. "Meath were on the up and up this year, they had won Division 3, and produced great wins against Longford and Wicklow in the knockout stages. We knew we were going to have a battle against them. "But we played in the Division above them and we were happy with how we were progressing this year. "There is added pressure, being Leinster champions, but we try to just take it a game at a time. We are not looking further down the line towards Croke Park. "Our group stage is the important thing to get out of. Beating Meath set a bit of a marker in Leinster but there are very strong teams in the Intermediate this year." The Wexford captain is excited about what the rest of 2019 has in store, and even though Division 1 heavyweights Tipperary loom large on the horizon as everyone's tip, and Meath might be back for more too, Wexford's confidence is soaring too. "In our group we have Laois at home, two weeks after we play Clare. If we come first or second in our group and we have Tipperary or Meath, presumably. "You would be hoping to keep motoring on, and September is not too far away either. Of course, we would all love to be playing in Croke Park on finals day, but there is stiff competition there. "Meath are lively, and you have Tipperary coming back down from senior. They have been playing Division 1 as well. "The Intermediate this year will be interesting across the board. It's exciting. "We know what we have to do. We are confident in our own ability, defensively and attacking wise. "Topping our group won't make the draw any easier, because it will be the knockout stages, and anything is possible. But topping the group would be ideal." Clockwise from top left: 1 Mary-Rose Kelly, Wexford, Máire O'Shaughnessy, Meath, Fiona Claffey, Westmeath, Sinéad Goldrick, Dublin, Nuala Mohan, Carlow and Kate Flood, Louth pictured at the Leinster LGFA Captain and Managers night ahead of the 2019 Leinster Finals. 2 Mary-Rose in action against Alisha Jordan, New York in the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Junior Championship Final 2014 3 Mary Rose Kelly, Leinster, in action against Mags McAlinden, Ulster. Ladies Football Interprovincial Football tournament 4 Mary Rose with her TG4 Ladies Football Junior Players' Player of the Year Award.