Jackies hope to come of age against Cork

Dublin's Noelle Healy says that the younger players in Gregory McGonigle's panel have "come of age this year" as the Jackies prepare for Sunday's TG4 Ladies All-Ireland SFC final against Cork in Croke Park (4.0).

The Rebelettes have been the standard-bearers for the game for the most part of the last decade but the Dubs are hopeful that they can reverse the recent trend between the counties this weekend.

"Cork brought ladies football to a new level. A lot of us are finally getting to the same stage. The championship this year has been really really exciting. They are still a phenomenal team. I think it will be a fantastic game," says Noelle.

“People might forget sometimes that we’re a very young team.

"You’re not going to be born to be a match winner – you have to learn it. I think a lot of players have come of age in the last year or two, and especially the last two games. Hopefully that will stand to us.

“There’s a lot of people who would know how to win games, who’ve performed in big games. You have to use that, have it in your back pocke.

"A lot of the younger girls would have been leaders on their teams, so they’re not afraid to stand up and address the room and pull a few of the older players up if they’re not doing their part."

Looking ahead to Sunday's clash the St Brigid's girl said: “I think we probably bring out the best football in each other.

"There’s been a lot of twists and turns in our other games but from a spectacle point of view I don’t think you could fault it.

“There were 31,000 people at it last year and there’s talk of 33,000 this year. I’ll always remember the scream when we came out under the Hogan Stand – it sends butterflies through your stomach.

"For that attendance to be broken this year would be really special. Ladies football has been going from strength to strength and women’s sport in general. To be able to culminate the year with a big attendance would be brilliant."