Declan Rooney

RTÉ Sport contributor

'I'd say Daddy is getting thick with me'

It's more than two years since Mairéad Daly pulled on the Offaly shirt and the St Rynagh's forward is aiming to inspire a revival in the county's football fortunes.

GAA • 08 May 21

'They are only bonuses. I think we all know what the main objective is with the county'

Ex-cyclist McLaughlin gears up for climb towards summit

All-Star nominee Eoghan McLaughlin plays football like he was born to attack from a Mayo half-back line, but he could easily have been lost to the game forever.

Mayo Gaa • 05 May 21

Niamh Cotter is hoping to put her injury issues behind her

Cotter: 'Transition' tag starting to grate on Cork team

Cork midfielder Niamh Cotter says she is determined to play her part in Cork's bid for 2021 TG4 Senior Championship honours, but recovering from a serious back injury is her first priority.

GAA • 24 Apr 21

Kildare goalkeeper Mary Hulgraine in action during the 2020 TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship. Photo: Karl Gormley/Kildare LGFA

'I am hindered at the minute with the heart condition'

Kildare goalkeeper Mary Hulgraine is waiting for potentially life-changing health test results. Following a spell of feeling unwell, she recently took a turn for the worse. After a stint in hospital, she was diagnosed with a heart condition.

GAA • 17 Apr 21

McCartan: 'Everyone is mad to get up to senior'

McCartan keen to stoke the fires with Westmeath again

Lucy McCartan on a rich family pedigree, juggling two codes, progressing through a medical career and ambitions for Westmeath to make the senior grade again

GAA • 10 Apr 21

Clara Fitzpatrick wears the Down shirt in 2012 and battles with Leitrim's Lisa McWeeney

Fitzpatrick relishing 'a year of hard work' with Down

With her Australian adventure over, Clara Fitzpatrick has now her sights set on helping Down become a senior team in the next few years

GAA • 27 Mar 21

Niamh Rice celebrates scoring her side's second goal during the 2019 TG4 All-Ireland Junior final.

Louth's Rice puts down the mic and heads for the farm

Delivering new-born calves and mucking out barns is quite the distance from a rockstar lifestyle, but with her singing career on the back burner, Louth forward Niamh Rice is not afraid to get her hands dirty.

GAA • 20 Mar 21

'All we are looking for is respect' - Emer Gallagher

Donegal's Emer Gallagher says her side is facing into the new season with the knowledge that they can match any team in the country – even four-in-a-row All-Ireland Senior champions Dublin, while she feels Ladies football has made strides in earning more focus.

GAA • 16 Mar 21

James Horan has the job of integrating new players into the Mayo team

O'Connor: Mayo can stay at the top despite retirements

Mayo forward Diarmuid O'Connor believes the defending Connacht champions have the depth of talent in the squad to thrive, despite the retirement of some of their most experienced players in the off-season.

GAA • 15 Mar 21

'When you're in school there is at least a change of scenery but it all looks the same now at the minute'

Football on long finger as Duggan tackles looming exams

With two All-Ireland final appearances and one winner's medal in the bag by the age of 18, Meath's Emma Duggan is one of the most promising talents ever to play the game. But the next few months will be a delicate juggling act as she combines virtual county training with her Leaving Cert prep.

GAA • 20 Feb 21