Dream realised, elusive All-Ireland medal in the bag for Hannah Tyrrell

Timing is everything and Hannah Tyrrell was probably cursing her luck in 2021 when she rejoined the Dublin ladies squad.

Mick Bohan's side were aiming for a fifth All-Ireland on the trot but Meath proved a step too far in the decider. A year later and Donegal ended their quest to regain the Brendan Martin Cup at the quarter-final stage.

Was Tyrrell about to give it another go in 2023?

Dublin were now in transition. Some long-serving stars were no longer around. Newer names had to be introduced; manager Bohan had to coax the likes of Sinead Aherne to stay on.

Tyrrell did give it another go.

And when the sporting images of 2023 are being chronicled, shots of Hannah Tyrrell and her daughter Aoife on the Croke Park pitch will no doubt take the pride of place in the August compilation. It was the aftermath of Dublin regaining their All-Ireland crown at Croke Park and mammy had ticked a box she was determined to tick off. She wanted that All-Ireland medal.

Hannah Tyrrell's sporting journey is remarkable. In the first decade of this century she lined out between the posts at underage level for Dublin. In 2011 she featured on the St Catherine's side that won the FAI Cup. Back to women's football and progression to the senior ranks followed.

In 2014, Dublin reached the All-Ireland final, but Tyrrell would not be involved. Rugby came calling. First, the Sevens and then the 15s, with the Clondalkin native featuring on the Ireland side that won the 2015 Six Nations.

After her career with the oval ball finished, Tyrrell got the call from Bohan to rejoin his football squad. Two years on and the dream has been realised for the 33-year-old.

On 13 August, a terrific first-half performance, lit up by the majesty of Tyrrell, laid the platform for a