Aherne hailed as heroine of Fingal

Niall Scully

A CLASS act, and no mistake. The splendid Sinead Aherne. One of the game's top marks-women.

She'd make space on a stamp. She could turn on a cent, and her temperament resembles that of the fridge-freezer when she is about to spin the wheel.

Who'll ever forget her masterful display on the Jackies' greatest day when they won the All-Ireland in 2010. Her overall performance, which included 2-7, had Jimmy Keaveney applauding. No higher compliment.

The Syls superstar can also read the game so well. And now many will be reading about her in a new publication, Fingal Sporting Heroes, which was written by Paul Harris and where much credit must go to the Fingal Local Studies and Archive Department.

Sinead and Ireland's greatest goalkeeper, Cliodhna O'Connor, features in the glittering publication that includes some of Dublin's best loved personalities from all walks of sport.

"It is a wonderful collection of stories and photographs of characters you might not have known about," reflects Sinead. "There's some great success stories in the book.

"It's nice to be made more aware of our local Fingal heroes."

Sinead attended the book launch, and it was a busy week for her as she helped Sylvester's to victory against Raheny in their opening game in the Tesco Dublin Intermediate Championship.

In their second championship outing, Syls will tackle Garda/ Westmanstown Gaels.

"It was encouraging to start with a win. It's a step up in level from last year, but we have been doing well in the league, so, hopefully, we can make an impact in the championship."

And the same goes for the All-Ireland. Last season, Dublin, the champions, were toppled by Cork by a point in the quarter-final at Birr.

"Our results in the league were a bit mixed," reflects Sinead. "But that was only to be expected with a new management and new players coming onto the squad.

"There was always going to be a period of transition. We played some good stuff in the league, and we only lost to Cork and Monaghan in the group section before Monaghan beat us in the semi-final.

"We were all disappointed after that display. But everybody came back to training with their focus very much on working hard in preparation for the championship.

"We know we have things we have to work on, but thankfully we have the time to knuckle down and do that.

"Monaghan and Cork are the top two teams in the country. They are the sides to beat.

"But we'd be hopeful of competing at the business end of the season.

"There is no reason why we shouldn't be. It is just a matter now of applying ourselves. We certainly have the potential."