Former Meath ladies football footballer Niamh O'Sullivan says it was the right time to step away from inter-county football.
O'Sullivan enjoyed a decorated career with Meath, and was an important part of the side that won back-to-back All-Ireland titles in 2021 and 2022.
While she said it was a difficult decision, she said she is happy with the outcome and being able to leave on her own terms.
“I got married last December, and I wasn't going to be doing pre-season. I had it - in the back of my mind - that last year was going to be my last year. I didn't fully decide until January when I came back from my honeymoon.
"I think, for me, it was nice that I could step out on my own terms.
“A lot of players have to retire because of injuries or medical issues, but it was my own decision. It was hard, I did miss mainly seeing the girls every day of the week nearly, but the training, I definitely didn't miss the training side of things.
“I was delighted with my decision. Obviously, having the success with my club has made up for that, it has made it a bit easier transitioning from the county back into my club.”
O'Sullivan came into the sport at a time when inter-county football was dominated by Cork and Dublin, with an All-Ireland looking unlikely for Meath.
Making her debut as a teenager in 2008, the Dunshaughlin native previously stepped away from the Royal panel for a number of years before returning to the fold in 2016.
Meath dropped from the All-Ireland senior football championship at the end of her comeback year, only to eventually reclaim a top-tier spot with an All-Ireland intermediate success in 2020.
In addition to claiming Division 2 and Division 1 league crowns, O’Sullivan was a pivotal figure as Meath sealed back-to-back All-Ireland SFC titles in 2021 and 2022.
O'Sullivan hopes Meath's journey can be used as inspiration for other counties moving forward.
“For 10 years it was Cork and Dublin literally in the final every year, credit to them, but it was probably getting a bit boring because it was the same two teams. We just decided to give this a right crack, everyone bought into it. Paul Garrigan, our management team, Shane, Paddy Dowling, Mark Brennan, and Eamonn (Murray) there.
“We all just bought into it and were like why can't we win an All-Ireland. The big stepping stone for us was winning in Division One. Afterwards Armagh did it, Kerry did it, and they went on to All-Ireland success. I do feel you have to lose one to win one, I know Kerry went through losing to us in 2022, but they have got over the line.
“I think it has given a lot of other counties motivation, belief, and I think belief is the big one. They can compete at the top, on any given day any team can win an All-Ireland if they really put their mind to it.”
The focus is now with her club Dunshaughlin, who won their second county title in a row, beating Dunboyne in the final.
With eyes now on the Leinster championship, O'Sullivan is fresh heading into the provincial club championship.
“The welcome I got when I went back, there was no pressure on me to go back in January. I didn't go back with the club until April. It was just really nice to get those extra few months off. It just made me appreciate it more really, to enjoy it.
"When you're enjoying your football, they do say you're playing your best football.
"I felt really fresh at the end of our league campaign. We had a few cup competitions, and a few challenge matches to play.
"I definitely felt refreshed. The legs weren't as heavy, the body wasn't as sore. Club is high intensity, but it isn't the intensity of inter-county standard. I found my recovery wasn't as long compared to the county set-up.
