Soccer past helped me master sweeper role, says Anne Dalton

It is hard to believe, given her enduring brilliance and renowned seriousness for preparation and playing, but Anne Dalton actually turned down two invitations to step up to the Kilkenny senior camogie panel.

First time around, she was 16, immersed in St Lachtains’ remarkable All-Ireland three-in-a-row run and stressed enough trying to get time off from her summer job for the club without adding to the pressure.

Two years later, there was the Kilkenny’s All-Ireland minor-winning crusade, and enjoying the craic that followed the Leaving