Ladies Gaelic Football

14 | AUTUMN 2021 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie INTERVIEW By DARAGH SMALL M eath rushed towards Hill 16 after their history-making win over the five-in-a-row chasing Dublin at Croke Park. It was start of their lap of honour and emotions were high, with the huge Meath contingent basking in a fairytale story. No one could have believed that Meath, who were on the wrong side of a 40-point hammering at the hands of Cork in 2015, could possibly traverse the steps of the Hogan Stand, victorious in a TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship final six years later. But the players and management always knew they were capable, while Meath defender Emma Troy's students had their fingers crossed too! "It's been absolutely amazing," said the primary school teacher. "We are all just so proud of how we have inspired young girls who are either playing football or not playing, because we are getting them interested in playing and showing them they can compete at the top levels and be winners. "It's been fantastic, so many of the kids in my school attended the game. And as I was doing the lap at the end after, the amount of their faces I was seeing, getting photos with them, and it's just lovely. They are so into it. "Beforehand one of the boys told me, he goes: "I really hope ye win that match so that you will be in a good mood for the rest of the year." And it was probably homework off for the week after a seismic shock that left Dublin reeling, changing the landscape of the senior ranks. The 1994 junior champions were intermediate winners last year but that was only part of their fabulous journey. It got jolted into life at St Tiernach's Park in Clones on 4 May 2019 when a youthful looking Meath outfit beat Sligo, 4-11 to 1-7, in the Lidl National Football League Division 3 final. At just 16-years-old, Emma Duggan, scored 1-2 that day and she would be the difference at Croke Park two years later. "WE'RE ALL JUST SO PROUD OF HOW WE'VE INSPIRED YOUNG GIRLS WHO ARE EITHER PLAYING FOOTBALL OR NOT, BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING THEM INTERESTED IN PLAYING AND SHOWING THEM THEY CAN COMPETE AT THE TOP LEVELS AN BE WINNERS". But in the meantime, Meath also claimed the Division 2 crown in a remarkable rise, they beat Kerry earlier this year. And they did that as the reigning intermediate champions following last December's brilliant win over Westmeath at Croke Park. The curve kept pointing upwards until they landed the Brendan Martin Cup, becoming the 13th county to put their name on the trophy. "We have made history. It's a remarkable occasion for us. Just really can't put it into words how delighted we are," said Troy. Left Hand Page: Emma Troy, Meath in action during the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Senior Football Championship Final Bottom Left: Carla Rowe of Dublin celebrates scoring a point as Emma Troy of Meath looks on Bottom Middle: Meath manager Eamonn Murray celebrates with Emma Troy, left, and Niamh O'Sullivan Bottom Right: Meath supporters celebrate on Hill 16

• Cover