1 day Ago By Irishexaminer.com
Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh hasn't ruled out an 18th season with Kerry but says the 'elephant in the room' is the management situation, which could influence her decision. The prolific attacker finally got her hands on the Brendan Martin Cup last month as Kerry claimed a first All-Ireland ladies SFC title since 1993. The 33-year-old saved her best performance of the season for the final with a thrilling first-half in particular as the Kingdom overcame Galway.
Supporters would love to see the Corca Dhuibhne stalwart stick around but she's still making up her mind. Speaking at the announcement that AIB will sponsor the All-Ireland ladies club championships for four years, the reigning Footballer of the Year suggested she's more likely to stay if Darragh Long and Declan Quill come back. Neither Long nor Quill has outlined their plans for 2025 though they did indicate immediately after the final win that they'd step down after five seasons.
"That's a question we've been asked and I've personally been asked a lot of times since that great day," said Ni Mhuircheartaigh of her future with Kerry. "It's something I probably have thought about but I don't want to think about it too much. I just want to enjoy the moment for a while now and then maybe decide in a few weeks or a few months and go from there and see how the body is or whatever.
" Asked if her decision will be influenced by the management duo of Long and Quill staying or leaving, Ni Mhuircheartaigh nodded. "I think I'm fairly with them, to be honest," she said. "I have so much respect for them and for what they have done for us on a personal level and as a team.
They have just been unbelievable to us, Darragh and Declan, and their entire backroom team. We've formed a great bond. "It would be hard to imagine Kerry football without them if they do decide to step away.
But look, it's their decision at the end of the day. "We've met them a few times alright, bringing the cup around to schools and, you know, I've met Darragh for coffees and stuff but the elephant in the room hasn't really been discussed too much." After two final defeats in a row, and having watched Dublin's Hannah Tyrrell almost singled handedly kill off Kerry in the first-half of the 2023 final, Ni Mhuircheartaigh tortured Galway in the first-half of this year's decider.
It was a return to her very best form. "I had a very up and down season this year," she said. "I didn't play much of the league and that was kind of a plan.
Then, during the Championship, I had probably extra work to do to catch up to the rest of the girls fitness-wise. Then I had a few niggles. Just on a personal level I'm delighted that I was able to help the team out on the biggest day of the year.
" Ni Mhuircheartaigh said her immediate goal is helping her club to advance from the intermediate ranks. They play Scartaglen in an intermediate semi-final this Sunday. "We've been down in intermediate for the last nine years or so," she said.
"It will be tough. But that would be the dream for Corca Dhuibhne, to be playing senior again.".
