AS DUBLIN LADIES prepare to defend their Leinster championship title, Noelle Healy says they are striving to emulate the national dominance enjoyed by their male counterparts.
The Dubs begin their provincial campaign against Laois on 12 June before facing Westmeath and Meath in the round-robin section as they go in search of four Leinster crowns in a row.
There were plenty of positives for Gregory McGonigle’s side during the recent league season, although they had to watch Cork lift the trophy with victory over Mayo in the final.
The Rebels remain the team to beat in the ladies game having won five consecutive All-Ireland titles – and Dublin are hoping a strong showing in Leinster can provide the springboard for a tilt at Cork later in the summer.
“We can’t really look past Leinster and I always really look forward to Leinster because it’s always in the summer and it’s very nice football,” Healy said.
“Leinster final day is always special and to be lucky enough to win three in a row is really, really special but we’re training hard now for the Leinster series.
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“Dublin [men] are obviously the team we try to aspire to be and all they’ve achieved over the last three seasons and if we could emulate that it would be fantastic.”
Healy in action against Cork last year. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
25-year-old Healy, who won an All-Ireland in 2010 and is now in her ninth season on the Dublin panel, also hailed the contribution of manager McGonigle after taking the reins in 2013.
“As a coach, he’s excellent, his direction on the pitch is brilliant and how he kind of teaches individually and emphasises skills.
“For me personally, he’s put a lot of time into my shooting and if he sees something he’s very kind of hands on and will bring someone to the side and go through it with them.
“He’s a very passionate guy, for someone who isn’t from Dublin. He wears the Dublin crest with a lot of pride and you can see he gets very emotionally involved and into the Dublin thing and the whole Dublin community.”
With the serious business just around the corner, this is a particularly busy time for all inter-county footballers as preparations for the championship continue.
As a doctor in the Mater Hospital, Healy has to manage her time accordingly. Thankfully, it’s only a short trip across the city to DCU for training but the Castleknock native admits it is demanding.
“It is very long hours,” she explains. “You’re on your feet all day and it can be emotionally draining at times.
“I start at 7/7.30am and usually finish at 6.30pm, 5 days a week. The people I work with are really good and know that I play football but you don’t want to try and get out of a call all the time or swapping with people.”
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Doctor Healy hopes she has the right medicine for Dublin's All-Ireland tilt
AS DUBLIN LADIES prepare to defend their Leinster championship title, Noelle Healy says they are striving to emulate the national dominance enjoyed by their male counterparts.
The Dubs begin their provincial campaign against Laois on 12 June before facing Westmeath and Meath in the round-robin section as they go in search of four Leinster crowns in a row.
There were plenty of positives for Gregory McGonigle’s side during the recent league season, although they had to watch Cork lift the trophy with victory over Mayo in the final.
The Rebels remain the team to beat in the ladies game having won five consecutive All-Ireland titles – and Dublin are hoping a strong showing in Leinster can provide the springboard for a tilt at Cork later in the summer.
“We can’t really look past Leinster and I always really look forward to Leinster because it’s always in the summer and it’s very nice football,” Healy said.
“Dublin [men] are obviously the team we try to aspire to be and all they’ve achieved over the last three seasons and if we could emulate that it would be fantastic.”
25-year-old Healy, who won an All-Ireland in 2010 and is now in her ninth season on the Dublin panel, also hailed the contribution of manager McGonigle after taking the reins in 2013.
“As a coach, he’s excellent, his direction on the pitch is brilliant and how he kind of teaches individually and emphasises skills.
“For me personally, he’s put a lot of time into my shooting and if he sees something he’s very kind of hands on and will bring someone to the side and go through it with them.
With the serious business just around the corner, this is a particularly busy time for all inter-county footballers as preparations for the championship continue.
As a doctor in the Mater Hospital, Healy has to manage her time accordingly. Thankfully, it’s only a short trip across the city to DCU for training but the Castleknock native admits it is demanding.
“It is very long hours,” she explains. “You’re on your feet all day and it can be emotionally draining at times.
“I start at 7/7.30am and usually finish at 6.30pm, 5 days a week. The people I work with are really good and know that I play football but you don’t want to try and get out of a call all the time or swapping with people.”
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All-Ireland Ladies Football Championship doctor doctor Noelle Healy