Issue link: http://digitaleditions.uberflip.com/i/1411448
FEATURE www.ladiesgaelic.ie | AUTUMN 2021 | 29 "It's obviously very difficult for both teams, to have me take a day off for one match or for training just to rest in between. But the girls are always so understanding, they are so supportive. "The Peamount girls were wishing me luck all the way up on the day of the final, even though they had their own match against Limerick." "I was trying as much as I could to be learning and stuff but I was just so excited for the weekend that I was just nearly trying to get through the week so I could look forward to this then." And considering Westmeath were fancied by many when they lost out to Meath in the 2020 TG4 All- Ireland Intermediate Championship final, next year will provide its own possibilities. Meath are now the reigning senior champions, while their neighbours will have every right to believe they can emulate that success. However, McCartan has plenty to focus on outside of Ladies football right now, and her Peamount United career will take precedence on the sporting fields before she returns to Lidl National Football League action with her beloved Westmeath. "It's hard at times, especially since the soccer has gone to a summer league," said McCartan. "They are both overlapping all the way through but I have two brilliant managers, they look after me very well. It's not just the managers, the teams are very good too. WESTMEATH WERE FANCIED BY MANY WHEN THEY LOST OUT TO MEATH IN THE 2020 TG4 ALL-IRELAND INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL, NEXT YEAR WILL PROVIDE ITS OWN POSSIBILITIES. MEATH ARE NOW THE REIGNING SENIOR CHAMPIONS, WHILE THEIR NEIGHBOURS WILL HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BELIEVE THEY CAN EMULATE THAT SUCCESS . Above Left: Aoife Connolly, Westmeath Above Right: Leona Archibold of Westmeath celebrates at the final whistle Below Left: Shauna Murphy of Wexford Below Right: Lucy Power and her Westmeath team-mates celebrate