What it’s all about.
The Tipperary ladies football team have been on the crest of a high and beautiful wave over the last few weeks, on the back of their scintillating All-Ireland intermediate triumph.
The Premier county’s ladies were invincible from their first outing in this year’s league campaign against Wexford way back in January, to their last against Tyrone in the final a few weeks ago.
In the intervening nine months, they managed promotion to division two in the Lidl ladies NFL, and an All-Ireland intermediate triumph, and they did it all unbeaten.
Not a bad year’s work.
Aishling Moloney received plenty of plaudits for her swashbuckling form throughout the year, notching a whopping 13-41 during their campaign, but it soon emerged that her class extends far beyond the field of play.
After Tipperary’s victory in Croke Park, her housemate and college friend Sarah Rowe was representing the Mayo seniors in their final against Dublin.
Mayo lost, Rowe was heartbroken, but the Tipperary star went above and beyond the call of duty, posing as a photographer to console her friend.
On Saturday, the classy Cahir lady was at it again as she made a young Thurles girl’s day.
When the final whistle was blown after that terrific Tipperary triumph, Moloney kicked the ball into the crowd to celebrate.
Young Aoife Doyle Herlihy caught the ball, only to have it cruelly taken off her by a Croke Park official.
As soon as Moloney heard about this, she made it her business to cheer up the youngster, and in doing so showcased everything that we want the GAA to be.
She organised a signed training top for Doyle Herlihy, had a chat and a few kicks with her and the smile on her face tells it all. The youngster plays with Thurles Gaels Ladies Football club and they told the brilliant story on their Facebook page.
Eimear O’Dwyer sent this our way, and let us know just how much Moloney’s gesture meant to the young girl.
“As you imagine, 8 year old Aoife was very upset. She is obsessed with Gaelic Football, idolises the Tipperary ladies team and wants to represent her county some day. Aishling got wind of what happened and she went out of her way to make Aoife’s day,” she said.
Pure and utter class.
