Hardly surprisingly, Meath manager Shane McCormack kept faith with the 15 who started last Sunday’s victory over Mayo for today’s local derby against the Dubs. The team announcement was, however, overshadowed by the fact the great Niamh O’Sullivan has taken her leave of the inter county stage.
If ever scientists are attempting to build a prototype of what a leader should be, they need look no further than the Dunshaughlin/Royal Gaels clubwoman.
Throughout her long and distinguished career – which will no doubt continue in black and amber – this natural leader has seen both sides of the road. Making her inter county debut in 2008, she soldiered through many years when the county team were in the doldrums.
However, if ever a career deserved to end with a crescendo it was this one, and by God did it. Though it must be said there were truck loads of disappointment before the story did get its happy ending. Including Meath slipping to Div. 3 in the Ladies NFL and losing consecutive All Ireland IFC Finals to Tyrone and Tipperary respectively.
When they did unpick the lock to success, they not only made it their own kingdom but re-wrote the history of their county. Not only in sporting terms either.
Niamh was there through it all. In fact, in the 2022 All Ireland Final against Kerry, she delivered what I believe to be one of the great performances by a Meath player in Croke Park.
It was to be expected then, that with somebody of O’Sullivan in their ranks that advancement would follow for Dunshaughlin/Royal Gaels. Which it did in their winning of the Meath IFC in 2021. Thereafter, they qualified for the following year’s SFC Final where they came up short against a Dunboyne side then at the peak of their powers.
Twelve months on, the Dunshaughlin ladies put the pain of the previous season well behind them when they comprehensively reversed the result of the 2022 final. Naturally, on foot of same, their representation on the county teams was bound to increase.
Thus, Niamh Gallogly and Meadhbh Byrne have become central tenets of the county team. As Niamh herself remained even last year when Meath were not the same force of previous seasons. More than that, it only stood to reason that the success inspired firstly by the retiring Niamh and bolstered by her namesake Gallogly and Meadhbh Byrne would bring along the next generation behind them.
So it has followed that younger, burgeoning stars of the current Joe Breen Cup holders Ella Moyles and Karla Kealy were part of McCormack’s panel who made it two wins from two in Div. 1 of the Lidl Ladies NFL with a gutsy conquest of the auld enemy in the typically enthralling encounter between the Old Firm.
Niamh O’Sullivan was introduced to the crowd at half time and given the rapturous ovation her dedication and inspiration totally deserved. If those carrying on her legacy – presently and the future generations in the stands – can take on even a percentage of her qualities they, and the county, will be more than ok.
FOGRA: Sympathy is extended to the O’Dwyer family and all in Dunshaughlin/Royal Gaels on the passing of Tommy.
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