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54 | SPRING 2022 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie AMBASSADORS GAELIC 4GIRLS T his year we are delighted to welcome our two new Gaelic4Girls, sponsored by Glenveagh Homes, ambassadors Laurie Ryan of Clare and Emma Duggan of Meath. Laurie has been a long-serving star with the Banner County while Emma and her Meath team- mates captured the imagination of the nation in 2021 by landing the Brendan Martin Cup. Laurie and Emma were also county championship winners in 2021 – Laurie with The Banner, while Emma tasted Meath and Leinster club glory with Dunboyne. Laurie and Emma have joined returning ambassadors Jennifer Higgins (Roscommon) and Aimee Mackin (Armagh) to assist with the roll-out of the Glenveagh Homes Gaelic4Girls programme in 2022. We sat down with our two new ambassadors to get their thoughts on the programme, pre-game rituals and advice for new girls joining a club. Here's what they had to say… GETTING TO KNOW THE NEW GAELIC4GIRLS AMBASSADORS Q1. What is the most enjoyable aspect of playing Ladies Gaelic Football for you? LR: For me, I love how many people I have got to meet over the years – I have friends all over the country and have got to play all over Ireland and even abroad. Through school, college, club and county, I have made friends for life! ED: Playing alongside some of my best friends every week. I'm not sure anything compares to the bond you have with your team-mates and getting to share the field with them is something I'm extremely grateful for and enjoy massively. Also, the challenges that come with football are always exciting! Q2. Do you have any traditions, superstitions, or routines that you observe before, during or after training or a match? LR: Before every game, I will take out all my gear and lay it out on the ground to make sure I have Above: In attendance at Scoil Uí Chonaill GAA Club in Dublin, to mark the launch of the 2022 Glenveagh Homes Gaelic4Girls programme are programme ambassadors Laurie Ryan of Clare, Aimee Mackin of Armagh, Emma Duggan of Meath, and Jennifer Higgins of Roscommon, with Annette McGarry, Community Engagement Manager, Glenveagh Homes, and players from Scoil Ui Chonaill GAA Club, including, Fionnuala Curtin, Grace Murphy McConnell, Zoe Minogue, Layla Sweeney, Amelia Ragusa, Sarah Ní Dhonnagáin, Fiadh Darcy.