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26 | SUMMER 2020 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie RISING STAR SÍOFRA O'SHEA second half. They had the momentum and went on and won it. "At the end of that season it was a huge honour to get the recognition of that award. It was a very special night in the City West Hotel, going up to accept the award. "We always set out to win the All-Ireland and it was a huge disappointment when we lost that, but then at the end of it, getting a personal award was nice. It in no way made up for not getting the team win, but it was some consolation anyway." Since that U16 final loss Síofra has continued to develop as a footballer and 12 months ago her good form for the Kerry Minors was rewarded with a call-up to the Kerry Senior squad late in the summer. "We always set out to win the All-Ireland and it was a huge disappointment when we lost that, but then at the end of it, getting a personal award was nice. It in no way made up for not getting the team win, but it was some consolation anyway". It has been a rapid progression for the youngster, but she says she felt right at home in the Senior team once her debut came in a TG4 Senior Championship clash with Westmeath. "I played Minor last year. We got to the Munster Final and Cork beat us in that. It was a very tight game again. Cork got the better of us, but then I went on to be a part of the Senior panel last year. "I made my debut in Fitzgerald Stadium, and then I went on to start the All-Ireland Quarter-Final against Dublin, who knocked us out. They went on to win their three-in-a- row so we lost to the eventual winners. "Going to Kerry Ladies and men's games in Killarney since I was young, it was a dream to make my debut there in that Westmeath game. Doing it in front of a home crowd and to get the win that day was very special." While it was a momentous achievement for O'Shea to play Senior county football before she started her Leaving Cert year in Coláiste na