If, like me, you are the least bit nostalgic or superstitious, it’s hard to which element is most exciting. The fact that Eamonn Murray is back looking after a Meath Ladies team again. Or to look at the pedigree of some of those with whom he is working.
To see a McKeigue from Navan O’Mahonys at left full back and a Hanley from Athboy (Clann Na nGael) in a pivotal position and captaining a Meath team is to recall some of our county’s greatest days.
Then, at wing forward, though Ella McCann is a Longwood player, her lineage is very strongly Dunboyne. With Niall Smyth and his son – TikTok sensation Ben – among her many cousins, while Niall’s dad, the late Bernard (Ben) was a former Meath Hurler Of The Year and, well, as Meath GAA pedigrees go, they don’t get much better that of his dad – the late, great Brian (1924-2016).
However, as much as the history nut and sporting romantic in me loves nuggets of gold like the above, and for all that there are some chips off some very famous old Meath blocks, these young ladies will be aiming to lay their own foundations while taking on Dublin in the Leinster MFC in Skryne in just over an hours time.
MEATH – Jane Deignan (Donaghmore/Ashbourne); Ava O’Toole (St Colmcille’s), Isabella Hamilton (Walterstown), Holly McKeigue (O’Mahonys); Sophie Foran (Clonard), Hannah Briody (Oldcastle), Louise Byrne (Ratoath); Niamh Summerville (Dunshaughlin/Royal Gaels), Eabha Hanley (Clann Na nGael); Ciara McMorrow (Trim), Chloe Doherty (Donaghmore/Ashbourne), Ella McCann (Longwood); Anna Donnelly (Seneschalstown), Erin Mangan (St Peter’s, Dunboyne), Katelyn Robinson (Dunshaughlin/Royal Gaels).
SUBS – Polly Blake, Niamh Byrne, Lauren Coogan, Eadaoin Morgan, Lauren Donegan, Rachel O’Dowd, Amy Betson, Lucy O’Connell, Isabelle Field, Ella McGlew, Isabel Delaney, Grace Hanley, Mollie O’Reilly, Faye Govern, Ciara Morgan.
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