Ladies Gaelic Football

INTERVIEW 16 | SPRING 2022 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie F ollowing the frustration of watching on from the sideline in 2021 as Eamonn Murray's side claimed success on two fronts, Kelsey Nesbitt was thrilled to be back on the hallowed turf of Croke Park for the latest landmark triumph by Meath. The Simonstown attacker contributed 1-1 to help the Royal County secure the Lidl National Football League Division 1 title for the first time in their history. This victory at the expense of Donegal arrived just over seven months on from their groundbreaking TG4 All-Ireland senior championship win, while the Lidl NFL Division 2 crown was also accrued by the Royals at GAA HQ in June last year. Unfortunately, AC joint reconstruction surgery on a dislocated shoulder — and a subsequent fracture in the same area on her first night back at training — meant Nesbitt played no part in those memorable outings and was marked absent for 14 months until finally returning to the fray in a group stage League win over Waterford at Fraher Field on February 20. She displayed great Back in the Action By Daire Walsh Kelsey Nesbitt determination to force her way into a starting line-up that is now stacked with household names and this made Meath's march to Division 1 glory extra special for Nesbitt. "It means so much to me to be back playing. I would never have thought that I'd be back into the team or to even get a chance to play in any of the League. I'm absolutely thrilled to be back into the team and to be part of the Division 1 win. I had a really difficult year last year so it's great to be part of it this time," said Nesbitt. "It was extremely, extremely tough to be on the sideline. It was an extremely tough thing to take, but it was something that I just had to deal with. I think it has made me stronger. I think it has made me more grateful and appreciate the football and the sport that I love so much." In the one sense, it comes as little surprise that Nesbitt has regained a starting berth in recent times. Meath's remarkable rise to the top of Ladies Football can be traced back to May 4, 2019 and their Lidl NFL Division 3 final triumph over Sligo at St Tiernach's Park in Clones. Stationed at full-forward, Nesbitt bagged a brace of goals to propel the Leinster side towards an eventual 4-11 to 1-7 success. Even though she first injured her shoulder two months earlier, she also played a part off the bench as the Royals got their hands on the TG4 All-Ireland intermediate crown at Croke Park in "IT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME TO BE BACK PLAYING. I WOULD NEVER HAVE THOUGHT THAT I'D BE BACK INTO THE TEAM OR TO EVEN GET A CHANCE TO PLAY IN ANY OF THE LEAGUE"

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