‘Orlaith plays for the Meath Ladies so I need to represent the county somehow!’

A MISS Ireland hopeful from Drumconrath whose sister is the vice captain of the Meath Ladies says that her famous politician mother inspired them to follow their dreams.

Aine Duff (25) who was crowned Miss Meath in June says that watching her mum, EU Commissioner for Financial Services, Mairead McGuinness achieve success in political life gave her the confidence to shoot for the stars.

Aine will battle it out with a host of beauties in Castlebar in August to be become the 75th Miss Ireland. Meanwhile it seems talent runs in the family as Aine's sister Orlaith Duff, paraded the Brendan Martin Cup on the Fair Green in Navan yesterday (Monday) to an adoring crowd along with her Meath footballing team mates having secured victory against Kerry in the All -Ireland final in Croke Park on Sunday.

"My sister plays for the Meath football team so I needed to get in somewhere to represent Meath," she said.

“I was away for the weekend and watched the match on my phone from Lisbon. I would love to have been there but I’m hoping to catch up with the team and celebrate their glorious win this week. What a team, what commitment.

"My sister vice-captain Orlaith, like all the 38 panel worked hard over the past few years through injury and setbacks. So it was something else to see the scoreboard and to see Orlaith run onto the pitch. Stuff of dreams!”

Speaking on following in her mother's footsteps and going into public life she said:

"I think seeing mam working in an area that is male dominated, it showed me that I can achieve anything I want, that the only person really stopping me is me. She is so supportive and I'm very lucky to have her."

Aine added that despite the strong support from her mum she did not expect to get through to the final.

"The Leinster final was in June and to be completely honest I didn't think that I'd get through. I was the last girl to be called out on the night to say that I was a finalist, so they really kept me on the edge of my seat."

Aine is hosting a charity afternoon tea event for Meath Women's Refuge and Support Services on August 7th in The Newgrange Hotel in Navan. The Meath beauty queen has pulled in some favours for the night too!

"I'm really happy to say the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee will be there on the day. Mam will also be saying a few words."

Tickets are available from Eventbrite or on the door of the Newgrange Hotel for €25.