The upcoming Leinster final double header gives Dublin fans the chance to support both men's and women's Gaelic football teams in Croke Park this Sunday. The men’s team are seeking their 14th title in a row while the women look to go three in a row since the senior competition returned in 2022, but this weekend adds an extra family dynamic for two young blues.
Sibling talents have been ever present across both men's and women’s senior football panels with the Cluxtons, Avril and Stephen, The McCaffreys, Jack and Sarah, the Fitzsimons, Michael and Grainne, and now the McGinnis siblings take centre stage. Killian, a 23-year-old master's student, made his debut during the 2022 Allianz League, while younger sister Hannah is in her maiden season for the Jackie's.
Their father, Terence McGinnis is a former inter-county footballer. He represented his native Derry, winning an Ulster U21 provincial title in 1983, and later fell short to Mayo in a replay of the U21 All-Ireland final. He moved to Dublin in 1985, originally joining Na Fianna in Glasnevin. However, a move to Skerries in 1999 prompted a change again, and he joined Skerries Harps. Killian and Hannah started in the academy set-up, and Terence spent time coaching them both at different stages of their careers.
"I got involved with Bryan Cullen's U16 team. Mick Fanning was looking after them and nearly the whole way though I was involved with a lot of underage teams", Terence told RTÉ Sport.
"I got involved with Hannah's minor team when they were about 10 years of age.
"For the last year eight years I was involved with Siobhan Carr, Lynn Kelly, Brian Rice, Peter Mularky, and Paul Lockard."
Hannah's journey with the dubs first began in 2018 with an U13 development squad and has donned the sky blue at every age group since. She is one of three minors making the step up this season alongside Ashling Nyhan and Katie Murphy. Hannah made her debut for the senior ladies' team during the national league and started two of Dublin's Leinster championship group games balancing football commitments with her leaving cert studies. The Loreto Balbriggan student won a Minor Leinster 'B’ medal and later fell short to Kerry in the All-Ireland 'B’ Semi Final last July.
"It’s a lot of things to juggle this year, but she’s the type of girl that just gets on with it," he said.
"It’s a big year for her. The girls that have gone before her and are still there are the anchors of that team and they've all been through that.
"It can be a distraction from the study and helps clear the head a wee bit."
Killian also experienced provincial success in 2020, beating Laois in the U20 Leinster Final. However, his journey hasn't been as straightforward. An ACL injury sustained during a training session in preparation for the All-Ireland stages kept the Skerries Harps clubman on the sideline as Dublin fell short to Galway in the All-Ireland final in December 2020.
"He had almost a full year recovery before he came back. He came back with the club and then had trials for the Dublin seniors.
"That was a big injury, but Dublin really looked after him, they took care of him with physio, strength and conditioning."
Terence added: "In fairness to Killian he went to the letter of the law. Everything he was told to do, he did it and if anything he nearly came back a stronger player.
"Killian was struggling to make an U16 team at the time. He has really matured and got so much stronger. Once he got a taste of that Dublin set up he really wanted to be part of it."
Skerries Harps secured their first U21 A championship title in 2021 with 11 players now on the club senior team competing in Division One league and championship competitions. Five of that group have progressed further to the Dublin senior football panel in Killian, Adam Fearon, Greg McEaneney, Eoin Wylde and Ethan Dunne, highlighting the quality coaching and underage structures developed by the club.
"Paul Wylde brought all them young boys through from underage. We have had a phenomenal underage set up and that is down to Paul Wylde, Gordon Keogh, Mick Fannon, Peter Mularky and Pat Delaney.
"They're still very young but there's certainly a senior championship in these lads in the next couple of years."
Killian McGinnis with a delicate finish for Dublin as they hold a reasonable lead over their hosts Galway
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The TUD student made his senior debut during the Allianz League versus Kerry in 2022 and has remained around the squad since then, earning gametime during the O'Byrne Cup and National League competitions. His dynamic skill set has led to roles across multiple positions this season and prompted an interesting dynamic in the McGinnis household as Dublin faced Derry in the national league final.
When asked who he was supporting on the day, Terrence said: "Look my kids are dubs but I’m still Derry. I love them playing for Dublin, no matter who they play for you support them.
"My sisters came down for the game, with Derry jerseys and all on them, but they were shouting for Killian."
The talent doesn't stop there as younger brother Finn is also making waves as a starter on the minor football panel. The centre-half back is still U16 however has already impressed at minor level as Dublin look ahead to the Leinster Minor final on 20 May versus Longford. The McGinnis' are heavily involved throughout the club as their mother Eileen is currently serving as club treasurer.
"Hannah and Killian have done a stint working behind the club Bar, and Finn has helped collecting glasses and stuff like that," said Joanne Kenny, Skerries Harps PRO and friend of the McGinnis family.
"Hannah is coaching at the academy, Finn helps out, and Killian has helped at summer camps, so they're just a massive part of the community.
"A couple of months back, we did a tour of the local schools with the Sam Maguire and Killian really led on that."
Killian was a panel member during Dublin’s 2023 All-Ireland football title win alongside two harps' team-mates Adam Fearon and Greg McEneaney, who was named to the match day squad for the final. The trio followed clubmate Bryan Cullen’s footsteps, who is part of the Dublin senior football backroom team serving as High Performance manager since 2016.
The Harps' recent Dublin representatives experienced a plethora of success during their playing careers. Lyndsey Davey is one of Dublin's all time greats with five All-Ireland medals, 13 Leinster titles and five All-Stars in her back pocket. While Bryan Cullen captained Dublin to their first All-Ireland in 16 years in 2011, and retired in 2015 with over 50 appearances in blue.
Kenny was quick to compliment the former Dublin stars and highlight the positive affect they have had on the skerries community. "Brian and Lyndsey are another amazing pair in terms of what they do for the club," she said.
"Brian's little fella is down at the academy now, and Lyndsey has always been very hands on and it's still playing with our senior ladies' team.
"They've been the role models and the example and for the next generation coming through, which is Killian and Hannah and their cohort."
Both Hannah and Killian have been named in the match day panels for Sunday's double header. A big day for Dublin football, but a special time for the McGinnis Family.
"It's fantastic that the two of them are in the same venue, normally myself and Eileen have to make a decision where to go," said Terence McGinnis.
"Normally Hannah could be down the country, and Killian playing in Dublin or he’s down the country. So it’s great they are in the same venue and we can actually go in together."
The north county Dublin club will be travelling in force to cheer on their panel representatives this weekend: "Skerries Harps are beyond proud of both Killian and Hannah as they represent the club and county in Sundays Leinster Final Double Header. It promises to be a great day out to Croker to support the Senior Men/Ladies as they endeavour to bring home the silverware."
The Saturday Game returns this weekend, with highlights and analysis of the day's GAA action on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 9.30pm.
Watch the Leinster Football Championship final, Dublin v Louth, and the Ulster Football Championship final, Armagh v Donegal, on Sunday from 1.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to updates on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
