From county final glory to debs dance floor

It was a night of celebration for most of the Eadestown's players as they enjoyed their victory over Kilcullen in Kildare LGFA Joe Mallon Motors Senior Football Championship Final on Friday evening, but Molly Lawlor and Anna Hynes had other plans. The duo glammed themselves up and, and a quick stop in McDonalds, made a swift trip to the Keadeen Hotel for the CBS Naas debs.

It wasn't the first outfit change of the day. Earlier that afternoon, the pair had donned their finery for pre-debs photographs before swapping dresses for Eadestown jerseys and turning their full attention to the county final at Cedral St Conleth's Park.

"It was very busy," laughed Lawlor as she reflected on a hectic 24 hours.

"I had to get ready beforehand, get pictures done and then get into my gear and play the match before getting back into the dress afterwards," she said.

Despite the excitement surrounding the debs, Lawlor was determined not to allow it distract her from the biggest game of the year.

"I tried to focus on the match because that was more important to me. That was definitely where most of my thoughts were throughout the day.

"If anything, it made the day go by quicker, but it definitely didn't distract me too much."

Lawlor, who played for the Kildare minors this year, had experienced heartbreak in her first final last year when St Laurence's ended Eadestown's quest for six consecutive county titles, making Friday night's success all the sweeter.

After all the planning and preparation that went into the day, it could scarcely have worked out any better.

"We have been working towards playing our best football all year and I think we finally produced it in the final," she said.

"It was so nice to see everything come together and working for us. It was very enjoyable to play."

Although Lawlor is one of the younger members of the panel, she has benefited greatly from sharing a dressing room with experienced players such as her first cousin Hazel McLoughlin, Grace Clifford, Gráinne Kenneally and Ruth Sargent, who is only a few years older than her but who won six Championships already.

"They are idols to look up to. Even in training, it's great to be going up against them. Obviously you're nervous at the start, but then you learn so much from them.

"With all the girls around me, it's so good. You just feel so confident with the people around you."

Once the celebrations and presentations concluded, there was little time to spare as Lawlor and Hynes rushed to make their debs arrival.

"We got our pictures taken as quickly as possible on the pitch, grabbed our bags and went straight to the hotel to get ready.

"We were at the debs by around 10.45pm. It took us a while to get ready, but we got there in the end."

Lawlor has recently begun studying Pharmaceutical Science at TU Dublin and will now turn her attention to Eadestown's upcoming Leinster campaign.

"Hopefully we can do well there as well," she said.

Eadestown have a home clash with Meath champions Dunshaughlin to look forward to in the opening round of the provincial championship. Before that, however, Lawlor and Hynes will have a chance to reflect on a remarkable day that combined county final glory and a memorable night at the CBS Naas debs.