McGuirk aiming to be number one in Croke Park

Goalkeepers are different they say. They certainly face a different set of challenges than outfield players - as Monica McGuirk knows well.  

She would certainly agree with the comment of Tottenham Hotspur's French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris that underlines how minding goals is something akin to a high-wire act: "It's part of being a goalkeeper that there's nobody behind you to save you." 
The 28-year-old Duleek/Bellewstown player has been Meath's go-to number one this year with her consistent performances one of the reasons why Eamonn Murray's team have clinched promotion from the NFL Div 3 - and are now on the cusp of bagging an All-Ireland IFC title.
Netminding is a trade McGuirk has been fascinated with ever since she stood between the posts as a youngster.  The role and all it involves, is one she is endlessly intrigued by; the science, the techniques, the constant quest to be better. 
She recalls that first day when she stood between the posts as a youngster as if it was a personal revelation; an epiphany.   
"It all started when I played soccer with my local club in Duleek. I was out training one day and the coach at the time just so happened to say to me ' you go in goals.' I did and I kind of never came out," she explained with a laugh during the Meath squad's recent 'Meet & Greet' evening at Dunganny. 
"Ever since that day goalkeeping has been one of my main passions in life. I love learning things, pushing myself to the limit. When I'm watching games I will watch the goalkeeper all the time. Sometimes I don't even know what's going on in a game. I just watch them and see how different goalkeepers do different things, both in soccer and in Gaelic football." 
McGuirk - who works as the operations manager of Aura Leisure Centre in Tullamore - estimates that it's about 10 years since she first made her debut for the Meath seniors standing in for the regular goalkeeper at the time Irene Munnelly in a game against Cork. She drifted away from the Gaelic football scene opting instead to focus on soccer when she got the chance to play for one of the big guns of the ladies soccer scene - Peamount Utd. 
She was the goalkeeper for Peamount when her team-mate Stephanie Roche scored a wonder-goal against Wexford Youths in 2013. It was a piece of action that became a You-Tube sensation.  "I was playing on the same team as Stephanie that day, I had a perfect view of the goal. Thank God it wasn't me that was in the other goals that day, I would have never lived it down." 
Last year she opted to take a break from soccer, but it wasn't long before word got around that she might be interested in returning to Gaelic football. Meath manager Eamonn Murray put in a call and asked her to join the county panel. She was more than happy to do so and re-ignite her inter-county career. 
She's was impressed by the level or professionalism she found in the Meath camp; the attention to detail. She recalls the time as a young goalkeeper when there wasn't much coaching available and she had to go about trying to garner tips and information where she could - something she would encourage any ambitious young goalkeeper to do. 
Nowadays teams have specific goalkeeping coaches and that is a big help as McGuirk continues the never-ending quest to be the best goalkeeper she can be. "I now have Paddy Dowling, the goalkeeping coach with Meath, he's one of the management team. He pushes me to my limits, every training session and that's great. I get a good hour, hour-and-a-half with him two or three times a week and that in itself is massive for me," she adds. 
"Goalkeeping it's not just about standing there making saves, it's about your agility, quick feet, all of that. That's the kind of work we do in every training session. It's all about trying to improve, all the time."
Before Sunday's game McGuirk will go through a warm up that she has become familiar with over the years. One she knows and trusts. It involves going through certain exercise routines mingled with visualisation. It's about getting ready mentally and physically.
She played in last year's IFC final defeat to Tyrone at Croke Park and admits Meath just didn't perform, letting the occasion get to them. This time around McGuirk and her colleagues are going to look on the final "as just another game" while all the time prepared for "a massive, massive battle." 
With a number of outstanding saves McGuirk has played her part in helping Meath get to the final. Now she wants to help complete the journey. Goalkeepers might be different, but they still love to win - just like everyone else.