Meath star Vikki Wall's Australia move, All-Ireland triumphs and Olympic woe

Irish Daily Mirror

4 days ago

Vikki Wall boasts a sporting résumé few can match.
Following two All-Ireland titles with Meath LGFA, she turned her attention to rugby and Australian rules football.
Not only has she represented Ireland on the international stage, but she's also brought her talents to the far side of the globe, showcasing her versatility and drive across multiple codes. Olympic dreams
When Vikki turned her focus to rugby 7s, she hoped to be chosen for the team heading to the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Unfortunately, when it came time for team selection Vikki wasn't one of the players chosen.
Opening up about not being picked, she told the Irish Independent: 'I was aware of the position I was in in terms of how much of a challenge it was going to be, but look, I always back myself.'
Vikki continued: 'I have definitely been leaning on friends and family over the last few weeks and just feeling the feelings, not trying to hide away from them. But it's also about compartmentalising it and understanding that sport is obviously bigger than one person and how good it is that the team is going to the Olympics – it's such an achievement.
'I had to get straight back to training after selection, so it was easier to put it on hold, but it's definitely a process of grieving and dealing with it.
'You're doing things in the background, just to check in on your own mental health and well-being to make sure you're keeping yourself on the right track, as well as going to training and making sure the team is going off in the best place possible.
'I don't know if I have had any past experiences that I could draw on to this extent. The day of selection, I knew that even if things had gone well, I didn't want to be around a lot of people, so I had a plan in place to go and see friends and family.' Life in Australia
Vikki has played two seasons for the North Melbourne Football Club, an Australian rules football club. She made her debut in 2022, before returning for the 2024 season - where she claimed her first AFLW title.
She kept people up-to-date on her amazing life in Australia on social media, sharing snaps from her time as a player and also what she gets up to off the pitch too.
The athlete spent a lot of time soaking up the sun by the beach and making the most of the incredible weather.
She was also joined by her parents for part of her time Down Under and showed them some of the highlights of Australia, including the sandy beaches, the Sydney Opera House and her playing in front of giant crowds. Return to Meath LFGA
After back-to-back All-Ireland Senior Football Championship wins with Meath, Vikki turned her attention to rugby and Australian rules football.
However, she never ruled out a return to her original team, and made the decision to come back during the summer of 2024.
Speaking about the lovely responses she's had from young LGFA fans, she told RSVP Live: "My mam is actually a primary school teacher so we had some fun receiving letters over in Australia when they had to write to someone - I got a few,' she shared. 'I was under stern warnings to reply to them all.
'My mam is actually a primary school teacher so we had some fun receiving letters over in Australia when they had to write to someone - I got a few,' she shared. 'I was under stern warnings to reply to them all.
Vikki added: 'I feel like being involved with Meath during that time and seeing the effect it had even on our local GAA club, as young girls started taking up sport, and the county - that is more fulfilling than anything else. That alone is enough in itself and to be somewhat part of that was unreal.'