Mayo's Saoirse Lally on cardiac scare: 'The screening basically saved my life'

2024 has been quite the journey for Mayo senior ladies football captain Saoirse Lally. From being named captain during the National League to a cardiac scare a month later, it's been a whirlwind.

The 22-year-old began the National League season as captain on 21 January with the understanding that the title would be rotated within the squad. To her surprise she has retained that title, permanently taking over from veteran Fiona McHale.

"It was a bit of the shock at the start of the year, but I am really enjoying it.

"They (management) told me for the first game but then they said they were going to rotate for it for a few games, but they never rotated so that stayed with me", Lally told RTE Sport at the 2024 LGFA Championship launch.

The Westport club player made her senior intercounty debut during the 2020 National League. She has served as vice-captain for the last 2 seasons and describes herself as a quiet leader: "I wouldn’t be much of a talker I let the girls talk".

Lally does all of her talking on the field and is known as one of Mayo’s enforcers in the back line. She has been part of the Mayo senior team panel since 2019 when she joined the set up a 17-year-old, balancing both senior and minor inter-county duties. Her performances during the 2021 season earned her an All-Star nomination and the reputation of one of the best defenders in the game.

A month following her appointment as captain, the entire Mayo panel underwent cardiac screening provided by the Gaelic Players Association through the Advanced Medical Service (AMS). The results of the tests led to follow-up calls via AMS.

"I was getting calls from the Advanced Medical Service down in Cork, but I wasn't answering them because looking back I didn't link the two at