'Big sense of relief' for Waterford and Caragh McCarthy after timely win over Cork

Meath's Lidl National Football League Division 1 clash against Waterford at Fraher Field three weeks ago proved to be an interesting clash for the St Peter’s Dunboyne club within the Royal County.

While their star duo of Shelly Melia and Emma Duggan were featuring at midfield and left corner-forward respectively in an eventual 2-10 to 2-05 victory for Meath, they also had a representative in the ranks of the opposition. Originally from the Abbeyside club — based just outside of the town of Dungarvan — Waterford wing-forward Caragh McCarthy transferred to Dunboyne in 2023 and subsequently featured for them during their march to last October's Meath senior county final.

Given she has built such a strong bond with Melia and Duggan in recent times, McCarthy admits it does feel quite strange when she finds herself going toe-to-toe with the pair at inter-county level — even if her knowledge of these players can also be advantageous for Waterford.

"You’re out having chats with them, you’re friends with them one minute and then you just have to put that aside for 60 minutes. It kind of helps as well that you know what way they play. Obviously they’re both very strong players," McCarthy acknowledged.

"They like to look for each other as well and they work really well together. You know their strengths, which is a bit of a bonus. You kind of have to really use it to your advantage when you know them that bit better."

Before throwing her lot in with Dunboyne, McCarthy had been consistently commuting to and from Waterford for a number of years. Previously a student in UCD, she now works as a teacher in Tyrrelstown Educate Together National School in Dublin.

Her current place of employment is located a little over five miles from Dunboyne