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www.ladiesgaelic.ie | SUMMER 2021 | 19 past few years. There have been disappointments along the way in the shape of a Division 3 League final reversal and back-to-back All-Ireland Intermediate Football Championship showpiece defeats, but Meath eventually secured both of those titles in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Additionally, their Lidl NFL Division 2 victory means they are now a top-tier outfit from both a League and championship perspective. As someone who has had to grow up fast in the inter- county grade — she made her adult debut against Wexford in 2017 — the 20-year-old TUD science student believes this can only be good for the future development of the game within Meath. Last December's All-Ireland Final win over Westmeath in Croke Park may have helped to banish the heartache of losing the two previous deciders, but there was something extra special about their latest trip up to Dublin. Due to the restrictions that were in place at the time owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, that Mary Quinn Memorial Cup showdown with their provincial neighbours was held behind closed doors. Just over six months later, Royal supporters were allowed back into the stands, with the League Final double- header being organised as part of a test pilot programme for the safe return of spectators to outdoor sporting events. Some of Newe's family — many of whom have strong connections to Templeogue Synge Street GFC in Dublin — were in attendance on the day and she was thrilled to be able to celebrate Meath's latest success in their company. "We were here in December and they weren't here to support us on. They've only been here when we've lost. It was good to get a win when they were here and we could hear them cheering us on from the sidelines. It was great." Ratoath's sole representative in the match day squad — Saoirse O'Kane is part of the wider panel— Newe and her colleagues can now look forward to being their county's first representatives in the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Ladies Football Championship since 2016. Although Group B encounters with Cork and Tipperary — their conquerors in the 2019 intermediate decider — will be serious tests, they will be exactly the kind of challenges that Newe has been striving for. "We're only going to get better if we're playing against the top teams in Ireland. This is where we want to be. I do think we have a good chance," Newe added. "We have Cork first in the Championship and then Tipperary after them in our group. We'll see how we go against them, but I think we have a good set-up now behind us with this League win." INTERVIEW "IT'S UNREAL SINCE PAUL GARRIGAN AND HIS TEAM HAS COME IN WITH EAMONN MURRAY IN 2017. IT HAS REALLY JUST BEEN BUILDING YEAR AFTER YEAR. EVEN BRINGING THE CUP FROM THE ALL-IRELAND INTO SCHOOLS. IT'S GREAT FOR THE YOUNGER KIDS AS WELL TO LOOK UP AND SEE MEATH FOOTBALL IN TOP DIVISIONS, IN BOTH LEAGUE AND CHAMPIONSHIP." Left page: 2019, Katie Newe of Meath during the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Intermediate Championship Final match between Meath and Tipperary at Croke Park in Dublin. Above Left: 2020; Katie Newe of Meath in action against Ciara Blundell of Westmeath during the TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Ladies Football Championship Final match between Meath and Westmeath. Bottom Left: 2020; Meath players Katie Newe, left, and Aoibhín Cleary celebrate after the TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Ladies Football Championship Final match between Meath and Westmeath