Royal leader Shauna Ennis takes hectic schedule in her stride

This weekend is a busy one for Meath captain Shauna Ennis.

A primary school teacher at Kilcloon NS, her class celebrate their First Holy Communion on Saturday.

Sunday will also be a big day for Ennis as she begins a third successive championship campaign as Meath captain when the Royals welcome Dublin to Páirc Tailteann for the opening round of this year's TG4 Leinster championship [throw-in 2pm].

While a lot of planning is needed for both events, Ennis, who has lifted the Brendan Martin Cup to mark Meath All-Ireland Senior successes in 2021 and 2022, is nevertheless looking forward to what she hopes will be a memorable couple of days.

"My class have their First Communion on Saturday. That’s going to be a busy day for me. I’m glad the game is Sunday, not Saturday! Busy weekend, but obviously a very enjoyable weekend. The children are really, really excited this week. We’re going up to church to practice and stuff like that," Ennis explained.

"It’ll be a really enjoyable day for them and obviously a day that they’ll remember well into their adulthood. I’m looking forward to a good weekend. We’re really looking forward to the Leinster championship this year.

"We have Dublin in the first round at home. That’s going to be a really big game for us. When they came to Páirc Tailteann last year, I think there was a crowd of nearly 5,000 people at it, so we’re hoping there’s going to be a really big crowd there and it’s going to be a good game for the spectators."

"Ten years down the line I'm still playing, thank God."

Even though clashes between Dublin and Meath brings to mind her climbing the steps to lift the Brendan Martin Cup at the end of the 2021 TG4 All-Ireland final, there was another meeting with their rivals that represented a