Issue link: http://digitaleditions.uberflip.com/i/1391459
30 | SUMMER 2021 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie BACK ON TOP By AISLING CLERY E rone Fitzpatrick had plenty of reasons for celebration after Laois defeated Kildare to win the Lidl NFL Division 3 title, having come back to play this summer after recovering from a cruciate injury. The Park/Ratheniska footballer was in jubilant mood after Laois' single point victory against neighbours Kildare, to win their first league crown since they defeated the same county to win the Division Two crown in 2006. "To be honest, I feel absolutely unbelievable because nearly eighteen months ago I did my ACL. A few weeks ago against Roscommon was my first day back and my first full match as well. Coming off with no injury, I was delighted with that and to win a League final is absolutely unbelievable. "I think it was our fight and our hunger. We have been in so many situations in the past where we were always the ones that came out on the bottom, we were never the ones to come out on top. I think we just bottled all that emotion that we felt in the past and that all came out in the final. I think it's a credit to all the girls. "We have girls that have been playing for years who are back this year. I'm only 20, I think the youngest is in 5th Year in school and the oldest is in her mid-30s. It's brilliant to see the difference between the young and the old, the experience and the youth." In a squad with such a range of age and experience, Fitzpatrick was full of praise for the younger members of the panel. "They're brilliant, we played a practice match there against Tipperary before the Final and the majority of them played. We only lost by two points to Tipperary, so that's absolutely brilliant. A lot of them had Leaving Cert this year as well and they still showed their commitment. They were at every training session, every practice match and every match and that's what we need. We need girls that are going to be committed and dedicated." "WE HAVE GIRLS THAT HAVE BEEN PLAYING FOR YEARS WHO ARE BACK THIS YEAR. I'M ONLY 20, I THINK THE YOUNGEST IS IN 5TH YEAR IN SCHOOL AND THE OLDEST IS IN HER MID-30S. IT'S BRILLIANT TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE YOUNG AND THE OLD, THE EXPERIENCE AND THE YOUTH." INTERVIEW Below: Erone Fitzpatrick of Laois in action against Lauren Murtagh of Kildare during the Lidl Ladies Football National League Division 3 Final match between Kildare and Laois at Baltinglass GAA Club in Baltinglass, Wicklow Erone Fitzpatrick talks to Aisling Clery about Laois momentum for the Championship