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10 | SPRING 2021 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie INTERVIEW 10 | SPRING 2021 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie E nding the season with an Ulster Championship winner's medal and a spot on the Senior Team of the Championship has given BlaithÃn Mackin plenty of confidence heading into the new season, but the Shane O'Neill's player knows there is still so much more to come. The 22-year-old Ulster University student was named at centre-back in the Senior Team of the Championship following a successful switch from the forward line into a deeper-lying position. And while it might have seemed an alien move for most Ladies football viewers, after she had broken through at the edge of the square during her debut season in 2016, it was a transfer to more familiar surroundings for Mackin. "A lot of people that only saw me play county games might not have seen it, but playing for my club, county minor and university football, I have always played around the middle or centre back. It is new to me playing there for the county, but I am used to the role," said Mackin, who is currently studying a Masters in Management. FILLING THE CENTRE BACK ROLE AND EMBRACING ARMAGH'S RECENT PROGRESSIONS BlaithÃn Mackin talks to Declan Rooney Left: Blaithin Mackin, left, and Tiarna Grimes celebrate following the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Ladies Football Championship Round 3 "A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ONLY SAW ME PLAY COUNTY GAMES MIGHT NOT HAVE SEEN IT, BUT PLAYING FOR MY CLUB, COUNTY MINOR AND UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL, I HAVE ALWAYS PLAYED AROUND THE MIDDLE OR CENTRE BACK.