Niamh O'Sullivan pictured at the launch of this year’s AIB Club Championships which for the first season sees a single sponsor unite four codes of Gaelic Games, honouring #TheToughest players.
By Cian O’Connell
Another Meath Ladies Championship was added to the collection at the weekend, bringing further silverware and satisfaction for Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels’ Niamh O’Sullivan.
Undoubtedly, 2024 was going to bring different challenges. Stepping away from a decorated inter-county career with Meath, O’Sullivan acknowledges the changing circumstances, but sport will always be central in her life.
What was it like to not be representing Meath? “It was difficult,” O’Sullivan responds. “I got married last December, and I wasn't going to be doing pre-season. I had it - in the back of my mind - that last year was going to be my last year. I didn't fully decide until January when I came back from my honeymoon.”
Still, O’Sullivan sensed that possibilities existed away from football. “Just being away from it, realising there is a bit more to life than football,” she adds.
“My family have supported me, telling me to do what I want to do. To be honest I just didn't have the love or the interest to go back, to give up my life for five or six nights a week after tasting that bit of freedom. As I always went along, if I didn't have the interest or enjoyment to go back, that was the time to step away.”
The timing was right. “I think, for me, it was nice that I could step out on my own terms,” O’Sullivan reflects. “A lot of players have to retire because of injuries or medical issues, but it was my own decision. It was hard, I did miss mainly seeing the girls every day of the week nearly, but the training, I definitely didn't miss the training side of things.
“I was delighted with my decision. Obviously, having the success with my club has made up for that, it has made it a bit easier transitioning from the county back into my club.”
It is a particularly exciting time for Dunshaughlin, who retained the Meath Ladies title, beating Dunboyne in a hard fought decider. “It was a great win, it wasn't our best performance by far this year,” O’Sullivan says.
“We didn't expect anything less from our good old rivals, Dunboyne. We knew they wanted to take the title back off us. So, it was a really bruising encounter. I think a lot of spectators said it was a great game, but I have to say I didn't enjoy it one bit.
“When you've the likes of Sarah Walsh, Ellie Melia, and Emma Duggan on the opposition team, you're always going to be facing a tough battle. Look, the absolute determination of our girls, from one to 30, it has been unbelievable.
“Thankfully, we got in front in the last few minutes of the game and stretched out to win by three points. It is the first time ever in the club's history to win back to back titles. It is amazing.”
Meath's Niamh O'Sullivan before the 2022 All-Ireland Ladies Football Final against Kerry at Croke Park. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
O’Sullivan spent a long time trying to reach the summit with Dunshaughlin, and she laughs at how some teenagers in the panel have acquired a winning habit early. “You've three girls on our team, Keva McTigue, Anna Myles, and Sarah Duffy, last year they won their first title at 17, it took me nearly 17 years to win my first senior title,” O’Sullivan says.
“It is just amazing. Those young girls coming through, they've helped us to get over the line. We were just so focused this year, we really wanted to retain that championship. We knew it was going to be hard to do that, but we are so lucky we've a very professional management in Shane Farrelly and Ellie Lane.
“In the last four years, the target all along was to win a senior championship. It isn't easy to win one, but thankfully we've won two in a row, so it is just brilliant.” A home tussle against Kildare's Eadestown awaits in the Leinster Club on Sunday.
Has O’Sullivan’s perspective changed about football in recent years? “I think when you're playing at county level, it is a bigger commitment,” she replies.
“You're nearly out every night of the week, you're constantly thinking about football. I think going back to the club this year there was enjoyment, it was refreshing. There was no pressure on me. Any player can stand up on the day.
“Personally, on the day, I didn't have a great game at the weekend. The likes of Meabh Byrne, Karla Keeley, Ronique (Kato), they stood up. The great thing about our team is that any player can stand up. We aren't just depending on the county players, if you want to call them that.
“The welcome I got when I went back, there was no pressure on me to go back in January. I didn't go back with the club until April. It was just really nice to get those extra few months off. It just made me appreciate it more really, to enjoy it. When you're enjoying your football, they do say you're playing your best football.”
O’Sullivan relished occupying a leading role in the Royal Ladies Football revival. Two All-Ireland triumphs illustrates the journey Meath travelled. With Armagh and current standard bearers, Kerry, now serious contenders, several counties believe that Croke Park glory can be attained. “I definitely think so,” O’Sullivan says.
“For 10 years it was Cork and Dublin literally in the final every year, credit to them, but it was probably getting a bit boring because it was the same two teams. We just decided to give this a right crack, everyone bought into it. Paul Garrigan, our management team, Shane, Paddy Dowling, Mark Brennan, and Eamonn (Murray) there.
“We all just bought into it and were like why can't we win an All-Ireland. The big stepping stone for us was winning in Division One. Afterwards Armagh did it, Kerry did it, and they went on to All-Ireland success. I do feel you have to lose one to win one, I know Kerry went through losing to us in 2022, but they have got over the line.
“I think it has given a lot of other counties motivation, belief, and I think belief is the big one. They can compete at the top, on any given day any team can win an All-Ireland if they really put their mind to it.”
