Pregnant Hannah Tyrrell expecting to stay 'heavily involved' in club football

Hannah Tyrrell still has her eyes on a return to club football. Pic: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

Hannah Tyrrell still has some football left to play but the reigning ladies player of the year firstly has a 'bump in the road' to navigate.

A bump in the belly would be more accurate as the former Dublin star, who retired after last year's All-Ireland final triumph, is pregnant and expecting to give birth in December.

Her wife, Sorcha, gave birth to their first daughter, Aoife, in 2023, and Hannah is going through the pregnancy this time.

Football had been off the table for her anyhow as she recovered from the ACL injury suffered in last year's All-Ireland final win over Meath.

The multi-talented Tyrrell, who played rugby for Ireland and was also a talented soccer player, intends on returning to Gaelic football with her club Na Fianna.

"We had been thinking about adding to our family and just decided it was the right time," said Tyrrell at the announcement that PTSB is the new sponsor of the Dublin club leagues and championships.

Tyrrell with her daughter Aoife in Smithfield Square last year. Picture: Conor Ó Mearáin/Collins Photo Agency

"And luckily for us, I'm pregnant now and due in December. I won't be able to physically play club football this September but I'll still be really heavily involved. The aim would be to get back and to still contribute to the club. I still think I have a little bit to give. We'll see how we go, but I'll definitely get through this bump in the road, shall we say, firstly!"

Tyrrell returned to Gaelic football after her rugby career and enjoyed a terrific few years, winning two All-Irelands, three All-Stars and the player of the year award.

And yet her current challenge, pregnancy, may very well be her greatest.

"It's been pretty horrific so far, I'm not going to lie," smiled Tyrrell. "I've been feeling very sick the last few months, so hopefully that starts to change over the summer. But yeah, it's a relatively new experience, but one I'm looking forward to.

"It's going to be all change, just looking forward to growing our family. And Aoife is very excited to be a big sister. So yeah, roll on the madness."

In Tyrrell's absence, and with a large turnover of players, Dublin suffered relegation from Division 1 of this year's National League.

But they subsequently retained their Leinster title and beat Mayo 3-12 to 0-12 in last weekend's All-Ireland series opener.

They can lock down top spot in their group by beating Donegal at Parnell Park (3pm) tomorrow.

"I think it's just always been the way with Dublin, that we kind of build throughout the season," said Tyrrell. "We're looking to peak as we hit the end stage of group games and the All-Irelands.

"We don't want to be the team that peaks way too early in the League and then hasn't got the stamina or the ability to perform in the later stages when you really need it.

"So, for me, I think the team has gone really well. They're getting loads of new, younger players game time and experience. That will stand to us, hopefully, when we make the knock-out stages."