Dublin’s Olwen Carey happy to be back after being a Jackies super fan for two years with Royal treatment next

For a Parnell Park appointment with the Dubs this Sunday (May 5) in the third game of the TG4 Leinster Senior Ladies Football Championship.

It will be a full dress rehearsal for the Leinster final in Croke Park on May 12.

The counties have provided worthy jousts in recent times. Eamonn Murray proved the Meath messiah.

He produced a remarkable three-card trick – guiding the county to the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship title in 2020 and the Brendan Martin Cup in 2021 and 2022.

Eamonn stepped down after the 2022 triumph. Dublin’s Olwen Carey has been two years away from the Dublin team. In that time, she became a fan.

She saw the All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to an excellent Donegal side in Carrick-on-Shannon.

And then, last August, she took her seat in the stand to see the Dubs climb the steps of the Hogan Stand following a majestic display against Kerry.

“It was brilliant to be there that day,” reflected Olwen. “It was a superb Dublin performance.

“Dublin played such good football. The occasion was presented so well. It was a good advert for ladies’ football.”

She sends much credit to the door of the former Dublin manager, Greg McGonigle, now the boss of the Lidl Division 1 champions, Armagh.

He laid the cement for what was to come under Mick Bohan, as Olwen and her teammates collected All-Ireland’s and All-Stars.

She is delighted to be back in the group. And to also see Sinéad Goldrick and Nicole Owens return.

“It’s such a boost to see Sinéad and Nicole back. Two such experienced players who will certainly strengthen the squad.

“Since I have been away, there have been new players arriving on the panel. So many talented footballers.”

Olwen has long had her wings. She can remember the first steps she took at Thomas Davis.

Growing up, she was an accomplished dancer. That skill has complemented her football.

She can move swiftly from defence to attack, gliding over the turf. One minute, preventing an opening; the next, putting her colleagues on the front foot.

She marvelled at the dedication and craft of Christina McGinty and Siobhán McGrath, two beacons of the Kiltipper Road.

When Olwen took a break from the inter-county arena, she was fully focused on the club.

Two years ago, they reached their first Go-Ahead Dublin Senior Ladies' Football Championship final.

As Olwen read the programme in the Donnycarney dressing room, she must have felt ten feet tall.

In her captain’s piece, Siobhán McGrath selected Olwen as her favourite footballer - for being such a leader and for her industry.

“I have learned so much from Siobhán and Christina,” states Olwen.

Davis pushed Kilmacud Crokes all the way in that final, losing by three points, but gaining a new fan club in the process.

In the semi-final, they overcame Na Fianna at a packed DCU under the lights. It was one of the games of the year.

Peter Boland was managing the team. He’s now in charge of the club’s men’s senior side.

Davis’s Alan Byrne managed Dublin in the early years. Well before the chime of the turnstiles.

Alan played his part, helping to put in the foundation.

Today, Dublin are the Leinster and All-Ireland champions. And the sport is played on bigger stages in front of larger crowds.

The meeting of Dublin and Meath will have people hurrying from their lunch tables over the next two weeks.

Olwen is happy with the start in the Leinster Championship. Two handsome wins against Kildare and Laois.

“We didn’t make the league final, so before the start of the Leinster Championship, we worked hard in training.

“It’s great then to get out and try to put into practice what you have been focusing on.

“The Leinster games come in quick succession, but that’s a good thing. It gets us ready for the All-Ireland series.

“This season, we have seen Kildare gain promotion. And that’s another plus for the province.

“They have done well in recent years, winning the Division 2 League and the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship.

“Granted, we won well against them in our first game, but they are a fine side with some top players. And they are only going to get better.”

Olwen is expecting another fine attendance this Sunday. “It’s great to be in Parnell Park. And one of the nicest things of all is how the children can run onto the pitch after the game.

“You are able to interact with them. Signing autographs, taking selfies, having a little chat. It’s one of the best things about playing there. We all really enjoy Parnell Park.”

On her way to the ground, Olwen might feel like playing one of her favourite songs on her earphones – U2’s Beautiful Day.