logo
Dublin's Niamh Donlon keen to inspire the next generation

Dublin's Niamh Donlon keen to inspire the next generation

BreakingNews.ie4 days ago

From growing up watching her idols to playing alongside them in a Dublin jersey, it has been quite the journey for Niamh Donlon.
The first woman from St Oliver Plunkett/Eoghan Ruadh to play for Dublin, the club was best known for producing Bernard and Alan Brogan, two of Dublin's greatest players.
Advertisement
The 21-year-old, who won her first All-Ireland title in 2023, is keen to be a role model for the next generation at her club and be the first of many in the blue of Dublin.
"It is good just to have someone representing the club. I know it is me, but if it was anyone else I would have been just as happy for someone from Plunkett's to be on the senior team.
"If you can't see it, you can't be it, and the younger girls really love seeing me down at the club. It is to inspire them and keep the club going as well.
"In their first All-Ireland in 2017 of the four-in-a-row, I was only under 13s with development squads. Seeing the likes of Goldie (Sinéad Goldrick) still playing and playing with them, it is kind of surreal.
Advertisement
"It is having those role models for younger kids to drive on and keep Dublin ladies football on the map."
A student at DCU, Donlon has quickly became an important part of Dublin's defence at a young age.
In this Dublin side is a mix of experienced players who were part of the four in-a-row, alongside the likes of Donlon who is continuing to grow, a mix which she thinks could be key in the weeks to come.
"The knowledge that they bring those older players is insane. They say a lot of the younger players bring a lot of enthusiasm, bring a lot of energy, we all go thriving for the same goals.
Advertisement
"That altogether gels it really nicely."
After a difficult league campaign, Dublin got back on track by winning the Leinster championship, defeating Meath in the final.
Sport
Cáit Lynch thought Kerry days were over before ret...
Read More
Having won the All-Ireland in 2023, the Dublin ladies suffered the same faith as the men, by being defeated by Galway in the quarter-finals.
This would turn out to be the last game Mick Bohan had in charge of Dublin. Despite changes, Donlon says the squad is determined to be back in Croke Park in August.
"I think it is the fact people want to redeem themselves. They have such a will to win that they wouldn't want to leave on such a low. If people are going to go, they are going to it on a high and in the right way.
"Our main goal as a team is to get to that final on the third of August. The job should be done on the day if we get there."

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Revealed: Trent Alexander Arnold's new shirt number at Real Madrid ahead of Club World Cup after controversial Liverpool exit
Revealed: Trent Alexander Arnold's new shirt number at Real Madrid ahead of Club World Cup after controversial Liverpool exit

Daily Mail​

time39 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Revealed: Trent Alexander Arnold's new shirt number at Real Madrid ahead of Club World Cup after controversial Liverpool exit

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been handed his new shirt number at Real Madrid ahead of the Club World Cup. The right back is in line to make his debut for the Spanish giants next Wednesday when they face Al-Hilal in their first group game after Real paid Liverpool £10m to release him from his contract early so he could play in the tournament. Alexander-Arnold wore the No 66 shirt at Liverpool, but this will not be an option at Real due to LaLiga rules stating that shirt numbers must fall between 1 and 25. It has now been confirmed that Alexander-Arnold will wear the No 12 shirt at his new club. The name on the back of his shirt will also change and now read 'Trent' rather than 'Alexander-Arnold'. The 26-year-old is due to be unveiled as a Madrid player on Thursday before the team jet off to the US to compete in the group stage where they are scheduled to face Al-Hilal, Pachuca and Red Bull Salzburg. It will be Alexander-Arnold's first chance to impress new manager Xabi Alonso, with the Spaniard taking over from Carlo Ancelotti. 🚨🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 OFFICIAL: Trent Alexander-Arnold will wear number 12 at Real Madrid. — Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) June 11, 2025 🚨🏆 Real Madrid's squad list for the Club World Cup + official shirt numbers of the players. — Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) June 11, 2025 Fans will be eager to see how Alexander-Arnold settles at Madrid following his controversial Liverpool exit. Alexander-Arnold opted to run down his contract to leave his boyhood club on a free transfer at the end of the season, leading to an angry response from some Liverpool fans. After announcing his decision to leave in early May, Alexander-Arnold was booed by his own supporters when he came off the bench during a 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Anfield. A number of his team-mates and Arne Slot leapt to his defence after that game as they asked fans to remember his previous years of service. The England international did not feature in Liverpool's next game - a 3-2 away defeat by Brighton - but did come on as a half-time substitute on the final day against Crystal Palace. On that occasion, he received a much better reception from supporters, and he was then cheered by most fans when he went up to collect his medal during the post-match presentation as Liverpool lifted the Premier League trophy. Alexander-Arnold broke down in tears as he did a lap of honour to thank fans after the presentation, and he was seen crying again during Liverpool's open-top bus parade the following day. But he has never left Merseyside behind for a new life in the Spanish capital, and he is just days away from making his debut for Real in his No 12 jersey.

Marseille reach agreement to sign Gomes on free transfer
Marseille reach agreement to sign Gomes on free transfer

BBC News

time40 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Marseille reach agreement to sign Gomes on free transfer

Marseille have reached an agreement in principle to sign England midfielder Angel Gomes on a free French club had been in talks to sign the 24-year-old, who announced in May that he would leave Lille when his contract expires this League clubs Tottenham and West Ham were also linked with Gomes, but he has chosen to remain in Ligue joining from Manchester United in 2020, Gomes has scored 10 goals and provided 19 assists in 134 appearances for earned his first four senior caps for England under interim manager Lee Carsley last year, but has yet to feature under current boss Thomas Tuchel. Gomes' move to Marseille will see him link up with former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi and reunite with fellow Manchester United academy product Mason 23-year-old striker finished as last season's joint-top scorer in Ligue 1 with Paris St-Germain's Ousmane Dembele, with both scoring 21 league finished second to PSG to earn automatic qualification to the league phase of next season's Champions League.

The last thing England should do is douse the fire in Jude Bellingham, writes DANNY MURPHY
The last thing England should do is douse the fire in Jude Bellingham, writes DANNY MURPHY

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

The last thing England should do is douse the fire in Jude Bellingham, writes DANNY MURPHY

Part of Jude Bellingham 's make-up is that he plays on the edge in every single game — be it a Champions League final or international friendly. Thomas Tuchel can suggest he becomes smarter in picking his fights but the last thing the England manager wants to do is douse the fire in Jude that has already led to so much success. Every sportsman has their own personality and you certainly wouldn't want to turn Bellingham into Roger Federer — it just wouldn't work. Seeing Bellingham frustrated with team-mates and officials reminds me of a young Wayne Rooney or Steven Gerrard. They also had incredibly high expectations of themselves, and everyone else, when they walked on to the pitch. At 21, he will learn there are moments when it's better to take things on the chin rather than give officials a decision to make. While I understand people would have been taken aback by his anger at having a goal disallowed against Senegal, I found it fascinating he cared so much when there was relatively little riding on the game. I believe it's that mentality that has made Bellingham a Champions League winner and the most important player in the England team. When he feels the world is against him, it improves his performances. Despite the loss of discipline at full time at the City Ground, we mustn't judge Bellingham too harshly — and lose what makes him special.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store