To suggest that he always had faith that the Dublin ladies footballers would reach the pinnacle of the All-Ireland this year would be far from accurate. However, this makes their achievement even more remarkable after enduring challenging times. “We were in a low place back in October and November. I understand that winning can sometimes overshadow those difficult moments, but if you knew where we were, you’d understand,” Bohan explained. “We were doing our best with the resources we had. The team will agree, we were simply trying to be competitive. We never could have predicted this outcome.”
It’s no secret that the Dubs have seen many of their star players depart since completing their fourth consecutive title in 2020. However, what was different last autumn compared to previous years? “The overall quality was lacking. The truth is, there was a lot to learn. Look at Niamh Donlon, who played her first competitive game for us just five weeks ago in a challenge match against Mayo,” Bohan noted. “Then there’s Niamh Crowley, in her first season out of minor. She may only be 5ft 3in, but she has the heart of a lion. That’s where the older players stepped in. I’ve never seen this level of support within a team before.”
Bohan’s players took these young rookies under their wing and taught them valuable lessons during that time. The team was nowhere close to the level they are at now, and Bohan has firsthand experience in this regard. That’s what makes this victory even sweeter.
During the game, Dublin exerted their dominance physically and weren’t afraid to commit fouls when necessary. They frequently disrupted Kerry’s momentum and quickly regrouped. Any notions of Dublin being “bullied” in their previous loss to Kerry were firmly dispelled this time around, as Bohan reiterated his statement. “We were indeed bullied in Parnell Park. I’m not playing up to the media or using any gimmicks. That’s a fact. We were outplayed, outmuscled, and we learned a hard lesson that day. We knew we had to stand up for ourselves.”
The players took that lesson to heart and mounted a formidable press on Kerry’s kick-outs in the first half, leading to their success in winning possession seven times out of fourteen restarts. Leah Caffrey marked Kerry’s Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh effectively, AFLW recruit Jennifer Dunne dominated in midfield alongside Eilish O’Dowd, and Hannah Tyrrell had an outstanding opening half, scoring eight points. Tyrrell, having achieved success in other sports, considered this medal to be the one she desired most.
Dublin showcased their attacking prowess in the first half, aggressively penetrating Kerry’s defense with direct play. They prioritized forward momentum rather than sideways passes, leaving Kerry unable to keep up. Even the introduction of Síofra O’Shea in the second half, despite her recent knee injury, couldn’t shift the momentum in Kerry’s favor.
The shock of defeat left Kerry’s joint-managers, Declan Quill and Darragh Long, devastated and uncertain about their future. They have dedicated four years to the team’s progress, making significant strides. However, defeat in the All-Ireland final has left them contemplating their next steps. “We poured our hearts and souls into this. It has been a long and fulfilling four years. It’s a seven-day-a-week job. I have three young kids at home, and Darragh has two. We’ve put many aspects of our lives on hold to train this team. It affects family life too. It’s been an incredible journey, and we’ll need to seriously consider our next move.”
In a footnote, as the LGFA celebrated their 50th final, the 40 previous senior captains were recognized and praised during the halftime of the senior game. Hopefully, the GAA will take note and also honor their jubilee teams accordingly.
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