McGuirk a popular choice to lead the Royals in 2024
Goalkeepers are different someone once said - and they can make all the difference too.
Meath's Monica McGuirk has time and again proven that.
This year the Royals will be captained by McGuirk while her vice-captains are Aoibhin Cleary (Donaghmore/Ashbourne) and Katie Newe (Ratoath).
McGuirk, who plays her club football with Duleek/Bellewstown, is one of the most experienced players in the squad.
She is the winner of three All-Star awards in the past including 2019, 2021 and 2022. She was also nominated for a 2023 All-Star award along with colleagues Emma Duggan and Mary Kate lynch.
McGuirk follows in the footsteps of inspiring captains such as Shauna Ennis who skippered the team to tremendous success in recent years including two All-Ireland titles.
Last year also McGuirk was shortlisted for the 2023 ZuCar Golden Glove award. She was nominated for an outstanding save against Kerry in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship quarter-final when she somehow got her hands to a Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh shot with the ball looking like it was destined for the net.
McGuirk has played a decisive role in helping Meath to achieve so much success in recent years. Her consistency and ability to make a game-changing save to help tilt the balance in her side's favour was, and continues to be, a major asset.
In the 2021 All-Ireland final, for example, she made a match-saving save when she blocked a point-blank shot from Dublin's normally clinical forward Hannah Tyrrell. Meath won an true classic, 1-11 to 0-12.
Quality like that has distinguished her performances for Meath over the years. It has made the difference.
She played Gaelic football as a youngster but turned her attention to soccer, starting with Duleek and moving on to turn out at a high level in the colours of Peamount and UCD Wave. She felt, however, she was never given a chance to fulfil her full potential. That clearly irritated and frustrated her. So at 26 she returned to Gaelic football and eventually embarked on the great adventure with Meath.
It perhaps was always destined she would return to the GAA. One of her grandfathers Nicholas McGuirk represented Louth at minor level while her other grandad, Sean Ludlow, played senior football for Meath. Her lineage is impeccable.
Now she will captain Meath as they open up a new chapter under manager and former Kildare player Shane McCormack.