Gallogly hoping to follow in the footsteps of Royal greats

She has played alongside some notable figures during her time as part of the panel, but now Niamh Gallogly has been charged with leading Meath into battle for the 2026 inter-county season, writes Daire Walsh.

At the beginning of this month, it was announced that the Dunshaughlin & Royal Gaels star was to take on the key leadership role within the county set-up for the coming year, with goalkeeper Robyn Murray and key forward Emma Duggan serving as vice-captains. In doing so, she assumes captaincy duties from Aoibhín Cleary – who helped to guide Meath towards a TG4 All-Ireland senior football championship final appearance last August.

Shauna Ennis had previously been skipper when the Royals collected the Brendan Martin Cup in 2021 and 2022, while Máire O’Shaughnessy climbed the steps of the Hogan Stand in Croke Park when the county earned All-Ireland IFC honours in 2020. Experienced netminder Monica McGuirk has also acted as team captain in recent years, but while acknowledging she has big boots to fill, Gallogly is privileged to be in the position she’s in at the moment.

“It’s a massive honour for myself, my family and club, but there’s leaders all across our team as well. Any of the girls could step up on any day. Obviously I’m well assisted with Robyn [Murray] and Duggie [Emma Duggan] as vice-captains. It’s a phenomenal group to be a part of,” Gallogly said.

“I’m just privileged to lead the girls out, but as I said, there’s leaders all across the pitch and that’s what we need as well. I definitely have big boots to fill with those girls that have gone before me as captain. Shauna Ennis, Máire, Monica and Aoibhín. Huge leaders on our team.

“They’ve definitely been inspirational and definitely would inspire me to drive the girls on. So definitely taking experience and learnings from them would be huge going into this year.”

There is certainly a freshness to Meath in 2026 with not only a new captain on board, but a new manager in the shape of Wayne Freeman – albeit the Kildare native was part of last year’s backroom team. There is also the matter of the new playing rule enhancements that are being trialled by the LGFA for the Lidl National Football Leagues and the Higher Education colleges competitions.

It will be interesting to see how each team adapts to these enhancements as it adds further intrigue to what is already a highly competitive Lidl NFL Division 1 for Meath. While the Royals were top-tier league champions as recently as 2022, Gallogly revealed their initial priority will be to secure their present NFL status for at least another year.

Their 2026 campaign gets underway tomorrow (Sunday) at Summerhill GFC against Galway, who are back in Division One this year after emerging victorious in the second-tier during 2025.

“I think the big thing is obviously maintaining our Division One status and obviously just trying to breed new players into the panel as well. We’ve an insanely talented group of girls that have come in this year. Young girls who are really driving us and pushing us on. I think getting them game time will be huge in the league.

“I really think our main focus, the first thing is always to keep that Division 1 status. Then it’s just to push on and take each game as it comes. Our sole focus is obviously just Galway now at the moment. That’s on Sunday and we’ll go from there.”

Currently employed as a secondary school teacher at Coláiste Na Mí in Johnstown, Navan, Gallogly is now set to embark on another interesting venture. Earlier this week, the Meath forward (who picked up her first TG4 All Star in 2025) was unveiled as the newest ambassador for the Glenveagh Homes Gaelic4Girls programme.

Originally conceived in 2008, Gaelic4Girls is a 10-week programme incorporating coaching sessions with fun non-competitive blitzes aimed at increasing participation in Ladies Gaelic Football. The programme targets girls aged between 8-12 years who are not currently registered with a Ladies Gaelic Football club and Gallogly is thrilled to have come on board for the 2026 edition of the programme.

Of the 23 clubs from Ireland and Britain that will be involved in this year’s Gaelic4Girls, five hail from her native county - Moynalty, Ratoath, Drumbaragh, Eastern Gaels and Gael Colmcille.

“Obviously growing up in Meath, Gaelic (Football) obviously gave me confidence, friendships and a lifelong love of sport. Being able to give back and inspire the next generation in a fun way and be welcoming as well, that means the world to me.

“Being able to do that is really important, so I’m delighted to be involved and be part of the programme that really does promote positivity and inclusion. I’ll be dipping in and out of those clubs in Meath, which is great as well. It kind of gives you that connectedness then with the girls in Meath.

“They’re getting to see someone playing for Meath, and dipping in and out with them. I think that is really important as well, to give back to the girls within my own county. As well as outside of that, but primarily going to the clubs in Meath will be really important. Keep the fun and the engagement and enjoyment in ladies Gaelic football for them.”

Gallogly will be joined on this year’s programme by Jenny Higgins (Roscommon), Louise Ward (Galway), Leah Caffrey (Dublin), Aimee Mackin (Armagh), Blaithin Bogue (Fermanagh), Laurie Ryan (Clare) and Siofra O’Shea (Kerry) – all of whom have already served as Glenveagh Homes Gaelic4Girls ambassadors.

Gallogly has battled against the majority of those listed above on the field of play and is looking forward to getting to know them a little bit more over the course of this year’s programme.

“It’s a great opportunity to network and get yourself acquainted with other county players and things like that. Obviously on the pitch you wouldn’t be too friendly with some of the girls, but off the pitch obviously then, everyone is a completely different person,” Gallogly added.

“It is lovely to be able to have those connections and to get to know other county players as well on a different level.”