Muireann Devaney delighted by Leitrim's victory despite disappointment with own performance in Croke Park

Anybody I’ve met since last Sunday’s TG4 LGFA All-Ireland IFC Final has raved about the performance of Muireann Devaney in Leitrim’s historic victory. Well, all except for one person and that is Muireann herself who felt she could have played much better than she did in Croke Park.

In fact, chatting with some delighted fans outside the Hogan Stand on Jones Road on Sunday, one supporter, who also hailed Ailbhe Clancy's Player of the Match award, believed Devaney was the critical ingredient in Leitrim's victory! 

Even though she was thrilled with Leitrim's victory in Croke Park, the standards the Glencar Manorhamilton player sets for herself means she was genuinely disappointed with her return of one point against Tyrone

“If we had lost, I would have been extremely disappointed with my own personal performance but that is not something we’re going to reflect on now, we’re going to really enjoy this one,” said Muireann after the game, “I would have liked to get on more ball or taken a few more scores but the girls gathered round me and took the scores for me today so I am absolutely thankful to them and thankful for the backs who played out of their skin.”

Lest anyone get the impression that Muireann is some sort of Roy Keane figure, never happy with her performance, far from it - the smile on her face was as wide as the Shannon as she promised that she and her teammates would definitely enjoy the victory! 

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“I said after the semi-final there were no words but there are definitely no words today, this is the greatest day of a lot of our lives and probably will be and it is one we’re really going to treasure and enjoy. 

“It is 17 years since the last one and there is only Charlie left from the last one so we’re going to really enjoy it.”

Doing things the hard way has become a trait for this Leitrim team and last Sunday was no different as a dominant Leitrim display almost came undone with a late Tyrone surge but to Muireann, it didn’t matter if the margin was one point or ten! “In the championship, we’ve done everything the hard way but ten point win or one point win, we’ll take them all. Winning it here in Croke Park is extremely special.”

Part of what makes it so special is the bond between the Leitrim players according to a young woman who has represented Ireland in soccer, won numerous titles with her club and starred in the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League with both Athlone Town and Sligo Rovers - yet this Leitrim team is different!

“I don’t think I’ve ever been on a team where the whole team has gelled as well as the way Jonny has got the girls together,” revealed Muireann, “I couldn’t say a bad word about one of them, they’re an exceptional group of girls, the bond they have and when you’re having a tough day like I had today, they pulled you through. It just shows the teamwork and exceptional skill that is within the group that Jonny has knitted in there.”

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Final question as to how long Muireann might celebrate bringing the Mary Quinn Cup back to Leitrim brought an iconic response! “Celebrating for a little while? I’ll be celebrating for years!”