'I really enjoyed it, it's great to be back with the girls again'

There was just once change to the named Meath line-up before Sunday's Leinster SFC game against Laois at O'Moore Park. Meadhbh Byrne, who had a fine game against Dublin the previous day out, was replaced by Orlagh Lally.

It was Lally's first appearance in the green and gold of Meath since last year's All-Ireland final. She was back after months when she travelled to the far side of the world to taste professional Aussie Rules football with the Freemantle Dockers in Perth.

The Clann na nGael player was delighted to be back in the fold and she played every minute of Sunday's game, powering up and down the field in her familiar way, as if she had never left - and afterwards when she had time to take a breath she paid tribute to not only the dedication, commitment, fitness and skill of her colleagues in the green and gold but ALL those who play the ladies game at a high level.

Lally has seen how the professionals both obtain and maintain their fitness in Australia - but she feels those involved in the ladies game back in dear old Ireland can match them every step of the way.

"It's was a nice experience (in Australia), good weather. It was lovely to get a change of scenery and explore a new sport but I suppose your heart will always be in Gaelic, it's what you grew up with," she said as she stood on the pristine O'Moore Park pitch after Sunday's victory.

"Aussie Rules is definitely a full time job but I feel it's a real eye opener to just how much work we put in here, it's a very high standard. I know Gaelic football is amateur but over here we give it the exact same amount of time and effort as those in Aussie Rules. I think we are a credit to ourselves and all the girls who play in the LGFA, all of those who play Gaelic."

She talked of how the condition of the players is "a huge credit" to all involved in the ladies game, the players themselves for the effort they put in and the backroom and management teams.

Lally will be commiting her immediate future to helping Meath retain the All-Ireland title which is obviously good news for the green and gold before she returns to the Aussie Rules game in August.

The Clann na nGael player certainly played her part in helping Meath win the Brendan Martin Cup in 2021 and '22 and she's delighted to be once more at full fitness to make her contribution this year as well.

She has shaken off a lingering shoulder injury and Sunday's energetic display will help her sharpen her game time reflexes. She admits, however, the team has still some way to go to match the heights of last year in terms of overall performance.

"I think we can all say ourselves we are not where we want to be but I suppose it's all about peaking at the right time. I feel we are getting there gradually and building up to where we want to be and hopefully we can do that on the big days.

"I had a bit of trouble with my shoulder over the years I had some surgery on it a few years ago but talking about high standards this can be a mentally draining game too, so mentally and physically I needed a bit of a break, a bit of time out during the league. It was a tough few months but it was really good to get back out there today. I really enjoyed it, it's great to be back with the girls again."

When she left school Lally studied nursing in DCU for a while but things changed and she got a chance to go to Australia. Her immediate concern is to help Meath before returning to resume her career in Australia. That for now is enough.

Another player who clocked up the miles on Sunday was Meath full-back Mary Kate Lynch. The Summerhill player could be seen frequently bombing forward, helping to turn defence into attack.

"Really important for us to get to a Leinster final in terms of giving us a confidence boost. It's really exciting to be back in a Leinster final," said the Summerhill player.

"We improved in the second-half today, our passing wasn't as clean as it should have been in the opening half. We had to tidy that up. It was really important to come out and get a good performance in the second-half which we did."

The full-back talked of how the team is improving each week and that view was certainly backed by the level of performance in the second-half on Sunday. Lynch too was delighted to see Lally back.

"It's great to have Orlagh back she's just a fantastic player, she adds great strength to the midfield area." Onwards they go.