John West Féile 2023 Ambassador Shauna Ennis (Meath) at Croke Park. John West, sponsors of the GAA’s under-15 annual Féile Peile na nÓg (football) and Féile na nGael (camogie and hurling) announced details of its innovative nutrition programme for young athletes. The company also revealed the extension of its Féile sponsorship until 2025 and a partnership with SuperValu to promote John West Féile in stores across the country. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
It has been one of the great Irish sporting success stories in recent times: how the Meath ladies football team delivered at the highest level.
Capturing two All-Ireland titles illustrated what could be achieved through demonstrating resilience and by planning in a resourceful manner.
Now, though, Shauna Ennis is delighted to be embracing different missions in 2023. The Ladies Football League has been highly competitive so far.
“Our journey has been well documented at this stage, but we have a new challenge this year,” Ennis says. “We have a new management set-up and we have a lot of new players in too. It is just about being able to be constantly able to adapt and change, to take on what is thrown at you.
“The league has been really, really competitive. The likes of Kerry, Galway, and Dublin have put in some really good performances along with Waterford.
“You have seen teams showing big improvement, we are happy to retain our Division One status now. We have one round left against Cork and we are looking forward to another big battle.”
Does the manner in which Meath flourished provide hope for other counties? “Definitely,” Ennis replies. “I think the gap for so long you had the likes of Cork and Dublin at the top.
Meath's Shauna Ennis pictured before the 2022 All-Ireland Ladies Football Final. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
“It was hard for anyone else to get close to them. The gap has closed between the top teams which is good as a fan of Ladies Football. You want to see close games which is what the league has provided, so that is great.”
Ennis has spoken previously about the difficulty dealing with the aftermath of winning the 2021 All-Ireland title. In the intervening time valuable lessons have been learned. “I think so, after 2021 we were sort of catapulted into the public eye,” Ennis says.
“That was really difficult for a lot of people to deal with. In the aftermath of that success and win you were being pulled here, there, and everywhere. Everyone wanted a piece of you.
“So that was quite overwhelming. I think after 2022 we knew what was coming and we were a bit better able to deal with that, to park some of that when it comes to your playing career. We enjoyed our off season and we are back in the thick of it again.”
A connection has been forged between the Meath team and supporters. “We are so grateful for everyone in Meath, they have really, really got behind us in the last few years,” she says.
“The crowds at our league and championship matches are fantastic. I see just as many Meath ladies jerseys around the county as mens jerseys which is just unbelievable.
“We have to give back to those supporters after them doing so much for us. We have to remain focused on the task at hand too, we have a lot of work to do this year. We are hoping to improve as the year goes on, and we are looking forward to the year ahead.”
