Sinéad Meagher on board as Tipp aim for junior glory

Sinéad Meagher took a year out of camogie in 2023 but she admits she couldn't wait to get back into the frey this year.

Due to her work commitments as a member of An Garda Siochána and her prowess as a top handballer, Meagher pressed pause on her camogie career last year.

But seeing Tipperary take on Clare in Croke Park on junior All-Ireland final day last summer, and watching them fall just short, was enough motivation for her to recommit to the cause.

The Kiladangan player is one of many additions to a team that is almost unrecognisable from last year, with a new management and with just a handful of survivors.

But, with Meagher as captain, Tipp haven’t put a foot wrong all season, coming through the group stages with a 100% record and winning the Munster intermediate championship to boot.

The skipper says they owe a lot to Bill Mullaney.

Eight years ago, Mullaney was in charge when Tipp won the All-Ireland minor championship, with Meagher scoring a goal in the final and adding that to the U16 All-Ireland crown she had won in 2014.

"Ever since I came onto the Tipp scene at underage level and played all the way through, Bill has been there either as selector, coach or manager," she says.

"Bill has given everything to Tipp camogie. We would love to win this Sunday for him."

On Sunday, Tipp take on neighbours Laois in the 2024 All-Ireland premier junior final, live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.

Laois are a solid side and, whilst they have had narrow losses in recent league and championship finals, they are a fluid and fast-moving outfit.

Meagher is just glad to be back, part of it all. Heavily involved in the Nenagh handball club when she was younger, it elevated her hand/eye coordination skills.

Her handball training and commitment led