'It’s because of them that I’m wearing the Kerry jersey' - O'Connell windy route back home

Having represented Éire Óg in Cork for the past few years, O’Connell will soon be back in the colours of her previous club Scartaglen.

CROSS-BORDER IMPACT: Kerry's Aishling O'Connell leads the celebrations after defeating Cork in the TG4 Munster LGFA senior A final. Pic: Eddie O'Hare

When it comes to achieving a suitable balance between work and sport, Kerry footballer Aishling O’Connell has a tougher task than most within the inter-county game.

A Garda based in the West Cork town of Bandon - located all of 83 kilometres from her home village of Cordal - O’Connell has often found herself working 12-hour night shifts either before or after collective training sessions with the Kingdom’s senior squad.