Family affair as Niamh and Dearbhla Coleman follow in parents' footsteps

Last April saw the Coleman sisters featuring in the starting line-up – Niamh at midfield and Dearbhla at left half-back – when the Orchard defeated Kerry in Croke Park to secure their maiden Lidl NFL Division 1 title.

FAMILY AFFAIR:  Armagh's Niamh Coleman followed in her parents' footstep as she and her sister Dearbhla line out for the county. Picture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

By lining out at inter-county level for their native Armagh, Niamh Coleman and her younger sister Dearbhla are maintaining a strong family legacy.

Formerly their manager when the Orchard County claimed an Ulster minor ladies title nine years ago, the Colemans’ father Tommy played senior football with the Armagh men and was a starter in an Ulster championship final defeat to Tyrone in 1984. While their mother Avoureen has always had a keen interest in the big ball game – representing the Lurgan-based Clann Eireann in the past – it was in the sport of camogie that she donned the orange and white.