Paris McCarthy will be cheering on her old teammates in the All-Ireland final from her Sydney Swans base.
Paris McCarthy in action for Kerry in 2022. Ken Sutton / INPHO Ken Sutton / INPHO / INPHO
“But you sacrifice stuff and you can’t be in both places. I’ll relish what I have here and I’m focusing on my All-Ireland final here which is the Grand Final. Our goal is to get there.” The original plan was to play basketball throughout her academic year and return to Ireland for summer football in Kerry. That arrangement worked for her first year in Tennessee, allowing her to clinch a league title with Kerry as well as playing in the 2022 All-Ireland final. But within a year, a new road unfolded before her.
By March, McCarthy was one of three signings for the Swans. Her Kerry teammate — and Castleisland Desmonds clubmate — Julie O’Sullivan was also snapped up. Roscommon veteran Jenny Higgins completed the trio, although she suffered an ACL injury ahead of her competitive debut and is now on the comeback trail.
Season One was about learning the skills of the sport, and understanding how to kick the oval Sherrin after years of punting the O’Neill’s ball. She made her debut in Round 3 against Brisbane, picked up a slight knee injury which sidelined her for one game, and returned to face Gold Coast Suns in the Elimination Final.
“We were marking each other during the game and she said to me, ‘You’re strong. Have you thought about playing rugby?’ So I’ve always been interested in it. I’d have to get recruited by them to play but you never know in the future.”
Galway LGFA Kerry Lgfa Paris Mccarthy The Road Not Taken
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