Soccer was Maria Delahunty's first love before she gave ladies football her full attention. In 2015, Delahunty won the All Ireland intermediate title with Waterford at Croke Park and the FAI Women’s Cup with Wexford Youths at the Aviva Stadium.
"My two older brothers and my dad had huge a interest in soccer. My dad set up the back garden like a mini-Anfield! I was always playing soccer with the boys growing up. That's what I loved the most and that why I probably started taking frees off the ground. I went up playing with Wexford Youths for a couple of years. 2015 was a year to remember."
She had to choose between the two codes. "It's hard to please everyone. Travelling up and down to Wexford, it took its toll on me. I'm glad I focussed on football."
After losing to Cork in the Munster final, Waterford begin their All Ireland campaign against reigning champions Dublin at O'Moore Park on Saturday. "It's obviously hard playing two of the best teams in the country one after another. We've had a few weeks to prepare. Playing against Cork was the best preparation we could have asked for going into the Dublin game."
Hear the full interview with Maria Delahunty on Lár Na Páirce at 6.10 on Friday evening.
