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8 | SUMMER 2021 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie INTERVIEW By DAIRE WALSH W hen Dublin's Hannah Tyrrell marked out her plans at the start of the year, the prospect of winning a Lidl Ladies National Football League Division One title was the furthest thing from her mind. The Clondalkin native had last featured for Dublin during their 2014 league campaign before becoming an Ireland rugby international in both the 7s and 15s codes. Her main priority for 2021 was to represent her country in the oval ball game and after deciding to bring the curtain down on her Irish career at the conclusion of the Women's Six Nations in late April, Tyrrell looked set to slip away from the limelight. That was until Dublin manager Mick Bohan came calling and thrust Tyrrell straight into the starting line-up for his side's league opener against Waterford on 23 May. Fast forward just 34 days to the top-tier NFL decider in Croke Park and the 30-year-old's seven- point haul proved instrumental in guiding the All-Ireland champions to a 2-15 to 1-13 victory against Cork. "It is something that came on very unexpectedly for me. With the retirement of rugby, my summer just opened up and there was an opportunity there for me. Little did I know where it would take me, but here I am with a League medal in my back pocket," a jubilant Tyrrell remarked. "It has been a whirlwind few weeks for me. I've really, really enjoyed being back in the fold and the Dublin girls have welcomed me. They really, really helped me and supported me along the way. I'm very, very lucky to be part of this incredible squad." Despite appearing as a goalkeeper under Gregory McGonigle in that 2014 inter-county season, Bohan has been utilising Tyrrell in an outfield role. This is a move that is working a treat for both manager and player, with the Na Fianna attacker contributing an impressive haul of 3-29 in five games to date. UNEXPECTED TURN OF EVENTS PAYS DIVIDENDS FOR DUBS "IT IS SOMETHING THAT CAME ON VERY UNEXPECTEDLY FOR ME. WITH THE RETIREMENT OF RUGBY, MY SUMMER JUST OPENED UP AND THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY THERE FOR ME. LITTLE DID I KNOW WHERE IT WOULD TAKE ME, BUT HERE I AM WITH A LEAGUE MEDAL IN MY BACK POCKET" This Image: Hannah Tyrrell of Dublin during the Lidl Ladies Football National League Division 1B Round 3 match between Tipperary and Dublin at Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary.