The Hop Ball - Episode 9: Lyndsey Davey

Legendary Dublin ladies footballer Lyndsey Davey joined Eamon Fennell for Episode 9 of 'The Hop Ball' sponsored by AIG this week. 

The former Dublin captain has been involved in the senior panel for 15 seasons- competing in nine All-Ireland finals - winning titles in 2010, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Watch it back here: 

Lyndsey made her Dublin senior debut in 2004 against Donegal in an All-Ireland SFC quarter-final and has accumulated four All-Stars during her time in blue.

Over the course of the interview Lyndsey looks back on her long, eventful Dublin career as well as her professional career in the fire brigade services while also giving great insight into both her personal and professional time during the coronavirus.

While enjoying more free time during lockdown the Skerries Harps player is eager to get back to competitive action but remains concerned about the chances of a second wave of the virus.

"I loved that side of the lockdown, just to do my own thing. It was only when I took a step back that I realised how manic my life has been in the last couple of years with football and work."

The RTE Investigates programme really brought the impact of Covid-19 home for Lyndsey.

"It really impacts on what some families have to go through. To think that a close one could have contracted it and passed away and then that you are not even able to see them," she says.

"That's why we need to keep it up now with everyone playing their part."

Looking at her intercounty career with the Jackies, Lynsdey says it came somewhat out of the blue!"It all happened very quickly I suppose because at the time I'd been involved in Dublin setup since I was ten (with the Dublin U12 development squad) and kind of worked my way up through that."

Former Dublin senior goalkeeper John O'Leary has taken over as manager of the ladies team and was very aware of Lyndsey's ability having seen her in action regularly 't club level and he asked her to come on board.

"So it was absolutely chaotic. I was so intimidated by the setup. Oh God I'm only 14 years-of-age here. I am so out of my depth. And I remember ringing John, I think I was only a couple of weeks in and I was like 'Im just going to have to step away. I'm so intimidated, I think I just need to focus on my under-16 and minors'. So he said 'okay, fine'.

"It was early in the year so he let me do that."

However, the phone rang again a few months later with the Dublin manager asking the young Skerries star to rejoin his senior panel.

"He called me back in ... 'I want you to come back in and give it another go' and I don't know what it was. I think some of the older girls were a bit more aware of how young I was ..... I think the girls were more mindful of my age and looking out for me."

Lyndsey discussed the role of players such as Martina Farell and Niamh McEvoy (Parnell's) during her formative years in the senior panel as well as the role of former manager Gregory McGonigle, current boss Mick Bohan and his management team which includes former Dublin defender Paul Casey.

The Jackies lost three All-Ireland finals in a row under McGonigle (2014-2016) before Mick Bohan took charge and transformed their fortune on All-Ireland finals day to win the last three titles (2017-2019).

Lyndsey looks ahead to the upcoming intercounty championship, under its new format, where the Dubs are pitted against Donegal and Waterford for the group phase. Lyndsey has relations involved in the Waterford panel which will add to the significance of that game from a personal perspective.

"Two really tough games. I do feel we got one of the toughest groups .... It's going to be very interesting being a winter championship. Croke Park is a very difficult pitch to play when it's wet and then when a team is very defensive against you. We've all seen how tough that day was," adds Lyndsey with regard to last year's All-Ireland final victory over Galway (2-3 to 0-4).