Leah Caffrey says Dublin learned from previous losses to win All-Ireland

Michael Bolton

Having won several All-Ireland titles with her county, Dublin's Leah Caffrey knows what is needed on the biggest stage.

Caffrey was crucial to Dublin winning another Brendan Martin  Cup last year, with a big defensive display key to their win over Meath in the final.

Gone back to the team being hunted, Dublin were surprisingly relegated from Division One, but bounced back to win the Leinster title last weekend against Kildare.

In what should be a championship with several contenders, Caffrey says this can only be good for the sport.

"It is definitely very open, which is a good thing, I think, as you never know how it is going to go.

"You need to go into every game and make sure you are fully prepared. Leinster is getting very competitive as well; a few years ago, that would not have been the case.

"There is a lot of really good underage teams coming through in the senior set-up. It makes it a very competitive championship and open going into it."

Going into 2025, Dublin were hoping to bounce back after a shock defeat in 2024 to Galway in the quarter-finals.

In the closing stages of the semi-finals last year, it looked like Dublin's season would end once again to the Tribeswomen, but for the late heroics of Hannah Tyrell and a strong performance in extra time.

Having been involved with Dublin since 2013, the Na Fianna woman has seen all the highs of lows in the game, and was confident Dublin would bounce back.

"With any loss, it hurts, so you learn more in the games you are losing rather than the games you are winning.

"We knew it was in us to reach the top again. Last year in the semi-final against Galway, it was toe-to-toe with them for most of the game.

"It is the small moments that make the difference. Thankfully, Hannah was able to put the free over the bar for us and bring it to extra time.

"In those high-pressure moments, you need to be able to reflect on the past and what you have learned from that and dig deep and make sure you have no regrets at the end of the game."

Last weekend saw Dublin and Kildare part of a double-header with the men's Leinster final, in what will bring more eyes to Ladies football.

With the group stages coming up, Dublin will face Mayo and Donegal, and all three counties will hope for big attendances.

To gain young fans, Caffrey suggests the sport can tap into ths social media the way soccer has.

"The social media side of things is very relevant today, young people are always on the phone.

"If you look at the Arsenal ladies, for example, they have a lot of social media, which markets their team really well. You get to know the players really well, you get to know the players really well, you make a connection and want to go to the games.

"I think it is a great way of getting to know people. You have an interest, and then you want to watch them play. I think little things like that make it easier for people to get to know the players on the pitch. They are such good characters in the group."