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10 | WINTER 2019 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie was in the ladies game. He progressed it on from where it was. "He has brought it to a whole new level since he has been involved this time." McGrath entered the scene after a devastating All-Ireland final defeat to Mayo in 2003. Unfortunately, Dublin suffered the same fate when Galway came to Croke Park and left with the Brendan Martin Cup the following year. That was McGrath's first season involved and she came on as a substitute in that 3-8 to 0-11 defeat. Dublin weren't back in the decider until 2009 when they lost again but that pain and anguish turned to elation when McGrath's team finally got their reward. McGrath started at wing-back in a huge 3-16 to 0-9 win over Tyrone at Croke Park in 2010. Unfortunately for Dublin, and the many players that came and went, they had to wait until 2017 for their next taste of success at that level. They lost the All-Ireland finals in 2014, '15 and '16 but McGrath only had to suffer on the field for one of those. "I was in Australia watching the games in 2015 and 2016," said McGrath. "It is weird, the emotions you have watching it. You are sitting there but you can't do anything. When you are on the pitch at least you feel you have some control. "You probably have the same frustration but you can't help the team or do anything to impact the game. But there is the same feeling. I was probably as devastated in those two years than I was in 2014, it was just not how you want to see Dublin go down." Those extra heartbreaks suffered at 3am on the opposite side of the world only whetted her appetite as she returned to Ireland, and although she missed out on the final that turned the tide, McGrath was back in 2018. "I didn't know what was happening in the camp at the end of 2016. I didn't know where people's heads were at," said McGrath. "But there was a bit of freshening up with Mick Bohan and the new management coming on board. All the girls had decided to stay. "There was obviously belief there that they could go and do this. There is always talent in Dublin and it was just trying to get the right format, getting them to play the way we needed to play, and just keeping a bit of continuity with them. "I don't think there was any doubt it would come. It was just perseverance that was needed. They showed that in abundance." McGrath was back after the ground- breaking 4-11 to 0-11 win against Mayo. She was a massive addition throughout the 2018 campaign and helped Dublin return to Croke Park for a date with destiny when Cork looked to maintain their hoodoo. Cork had beaten Dublin in 2009 and each year between 2014 and 2016. They looked irresistible in All-Ireland finals but Dublin had evolved. But McGrath shored up the defence from her centre-back slot in a 3-11 to 1-12 success. "I have gone through a few different eras now," said McGrath. "When I first "It is weird, the emotions you have watching it. You are sitting there but you can't do anything. When you are on the pitch at least you feel you have some control ". FEATURE INTERVIEW 1 2 3