What a glorious sight it was to see two teams battling in the ampitheatre of Croke Park Dublin in yesterdays conclusion to the Ladies Football Finals. The LGFA have to take enormous praise for the way they have transformed the Ladies game in the past 20 years. The spectacle of show was worthy of any showpiece, regardless of gender, and the atmosphere from the crowd as the game entered its final throes was simply exhilarating.
The Women's game has had its detractors for a long time now. Whether this be the result of misogyny, begrudgers or those who hate change it is difficult to say but what i witnessed yesterday could not be viewed without the emotions being stirred nor the admiration for those who enter the crucible of battle on the hallowed turf of Croker.
I had my daughter WITH ME for her first experience of the Stadium. I thought the jaunt would do her good to see the standards and levels of what Is needed to reach the pinnacle of Ladies Gaa Football. The Junior and Intermediate Finals between Antrim / Wicklow and Wexford / Westmeath served up some lovely scores, passion and athleticism. The Westmeath and Wicklow teams were superbly drilled and the were convincing winners. Both had marquee playerss operating at a quite fantastic level in Marie Kealy and Clodagh Fox for Wicklow and Westmeath had the devastating firepower of Sarah Dillon and Anna Jones. Their finishing was top drawer and they were quite ruthless in keeping the scoreboard turning ove, even in the moments were Antrim and Wexford were applying the pressure. Both Wicklow and Westmeath will adjust to life well in the higher grades of football that winning provided.
As someone used to the physical nature of men's sport, it was particularly captivating to see how committed and fearless each player was. There were legitimate challenges for the ball going in that the Tyrone and Mayo Men would wince at. My Daughter was transfixed and as each match went on she got more engaged in the theatre of it, of the female gladiators and the skills each brought. The Dublin - Meath game was to the highlight of the day and she simply couldnt wait, especially after seeing what had gone before.
To think that Meath team were only winners of the Intermediate final the year before is amazing. The underdog story this year is resinforced by the evidence of dogged tackling and never say die attitude. What Mayo and Tyrone brought to the All Ireland Semi finals against their much vaunted opponents was replicated by a Meath team that fought, harried, pressed and forced their will on the majestic '4 in a row' Dublin team and were led feriously by Carla Rowe, Hannah Tyrrell, Lauren Magee and Sinead Goldrick. Meath's defence, dominated by the intelligence of Monica McGuirk, Emma Troy, Aoibhín Cleary and Máire O'Shaughnessy, were like terriers and up front Vikki Wall, Niamh O'Sullivan, Stacey Grimes and the simply peerless Emma Duggan were inspirational, time and time again coming up with scores and pressure plays to keep Meath in front.
What should not be forgotten was how classy Dublin were in the aftermath of defeat. No quarter was given or taken but they were generous and warm with their congratulations to Meath.
With a noisy crowd and an exciting finish, my girl drank it in and wanted more. On the way home I was asked 'Can we go again next year?' After 6 hours in Croke Park her first thoughts were 'more'. That says it all for Ladies GAA Football Finals Day and what seeing Antrim, Wicklow, Westmeatth, Wexford, Dublin and Meath did for her.
Comments
Post a Comment