Gemma Begley | Angela Casey | Annette Clarke | Nollaig Cleary
Edel Concannon | Katrina Connolly | Briege Corkery | Bernie Finlay
Lorna Joyce | Kate Leah | Fiona McHale | Sarah McLoughlin | Angie McNally
Valerie Mulcahy | Andrea Murphy | Juliet Murphy | Mary Nevin
Bronagh O'Donnell | Geraldine O'Shea | Grainne Smith | Cora Staunton
Aisling Tierney | Patrice Dennehy 
With the name of Leitrim lady, Mary Quinn on the Cup, it was only fitting that the first winners of the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship last September in Croke Park was a Leitrim team. They were inspired on the day by the outstanding Sarah McLoughlin, the star player on show and winner of the Player of the Match Award.
Leitrim gave their best display of the year at just the right time, playing with confidence and Sarah chipped in with 5 top-class points. Wexford were quick off the blocks and led by 0-05 to 00-01 after 10 minutes, but Sarah and her teammates never gave up, turning things around to lead at half-time by 0-08 to 00-06. The second half was very tight but Leitrim held on to lift the Mary Quinn Cup, and their first title since winning the Junior All-Ireland back in 1988. The Aughawillan star is now looking forward to stepping up to life at Senior level in 2008 and after the success of this year they will be going all guns blazing to keep that going.
What has been your top sporting moment?
Winning the Intermediate All-Ireland this year in Croke Park, it was brilliant for a small county such as Leitrim to win an All-Ireland in anything.
Which is the toughest team that you have faced?
Sligo are always very tough opponents and there is a massive rivalry between ourselves and them. They beat us in the 2006 All-Ireland final but now that we are champions I would like to come up against them again.
Who has been your toughest opponent?
Wexford centre half-back, Leona Tector. I marked her in the All-Ireland final this year and she is an excellent defender.
Which player do you admire most?
I really admire our team captain Sinéad Brennan. She is a real lady both on and off the field and is also an amazing player.
Who was your childhood sporting hero?
Mayo ladies player Helena Lohan was a player that I admired. When I went to college in Maynooth I was lucky enough to play alongside her.
What club do you play for and who are your biggest rivals?
I play for the Aughawillan ladies and Cloone are our biggest rivals.
Do you play any other sports?
I play basketball and badminton and I also enjoy dance and athletics.
What advice would you give to young players?
I would urge young players never to give up even if you are not picked for the first team. I was left on the bench for the All-Ireland quarter-final this year and felt like giving up. However, I went on to get my starting place in the next two games and I won Player of the Match in the All-Ireland final.
What are your hopes for the future?
I would love for Leitrim to go on and win a Senior All-Ireland to prove that there is not a big jump from Intermediate to Senior level.
Name: Sarah McLoughlin
Age: 21
Team: Leitrim
Debut: 2001 v Mayo
Honours:
1 All-Ireland Intermediate title,
1 Connacht Club title,
1 British Colleges All-Star Award,
Leitrim Player of the Year 2001.
Club: Aughawillan
Fav book: To Kill a Mockingbird
Fav food: Fajitas
Fav band: Frou Frou
Fav film: Garden State
Fav TV: Grey’s Anatomy
Hobbies: Playing the guitar
Occupation: Primary Teacher
CúlFACT:
Sarah’s dad has plenty of pull, is a former Tug-of-War World Champion. © December 2007 |
