DUB DAVEY HAILS DOUBLE-HEADERS’ IMPACT
DUBLIN ladies football star Lyndsey Davey believes inter-county doubleheaders involving men’s senior teams are the perfect way to promote the sport. Dublin are the reigning All-Ireland senior champions in both the ladies and men’s game and have announced two Croke Park doubleheaders for the upcoming National League campaign. Davey’s team will share the bill with Jim Gavin’s history chasers on Saturday, February 2 when they face Donegal (Gavin’s team take on Galway in a repeat of last year’s Allianz League final) and again on Saturday, February 23 when both teams entertain Mayo. ‘Last year we got three double-headers during the league, two in Croke Park and one down in MacHale Park as well. For the promotion of the sport, it’s brilliant,’ said Davey who was speaking yesterday to promote the 30th anniversary of Lidl Comórtas Peile Páidi Ó Sé where GAA clubs from the United Arab Emirates, Scotland, England and 17 counties across Ireland will take part. ‘We got lots of support for our games last year, especially the game down in MacHale Park, there was a fantastic atmosphere,’ added Davey. ‘Even in Munster, they’ve announced that two of their championship fixtures are going to be double-headers as well. It’s fantastic to see more and more games scheduled for doubleheaders. It’s part of the aim to roll the LGFA out to a wider audience.’ Indeed, Davey is now part of a Dublin team chasing a three-in-a-row in 2019. ‘Dublin football, ladies club football has gone from strength to strength. It’s great to be a part of it. I’ve been playing for Dublin for a long time and gone through a lot of defeats in terms of All-Irelands. Last year was even more special, beating Cork in an AllIreland final for the first time; winning the National League for the first time.’