As Galway prepare for another monumental All-Ireland final, few players have embodied the county’s spirit and drive this season quite like Mairéad Dillon. The Kilconieron forward has not just stepped into the limelight — she’s seized it, delivering powerful performances that have helped power Galway back to the biggest stage. With her pace, accuracy, and composure under pressure, Dillon is one of the key reasons Galway fans are daring to believe again.
“We have a fair amount of work put in now between the month before the semi-final and these two weeks,” Dillon said in the lead-up to the final. “So I’m hoping all that hard work has not gone to waste.” There’s a quiet confidence in her voice, but also the realism of someone who’s been through tough battles — on the field and within an elite setup.
This has been a season where Galway have had to dig deep. Losses of key figures like Niamh Kilkenny and Áine Keane could have rattled lesser squads, but players like Dillon have risen to the challenge. Her performances against Tipperary and Waterford were pivotal, turning games with her sharp instincts and relentless effort.
“The Waterford game and Tipp game were two tough games,” she recalled. “But look, we got purple patches in both games. So hopefully now that'll give us a bit of a push to hold our ground against Cork.”
And that Cork clash carries extra weight. Last year’s heartbreak and this year’s league final defeat still sting — but they’ve become fuel.
“It’s unfinished business with Cork since last year,” Dillon said. “The hurt from last year, and the hurt from the League final this year… surely that should be enough now to bottle up for the All-Ireland.
Behind that fire is also a deeper strength within the squad. Dillon points to the energy brought by the younger players as a vital part of Galway’s resurgence.
“The 23s are boosting the seniors,” she said. “It created great competition within the group as well. It’s great to have them coming up, having that win under their belt, but also pushing all of us on fighting for places.”
Her journey is steeped in success — from winning two U16 All-Irelands, a Minor title, and two senior All-Ireland medals, to lifting a Purcell Cup with the University of Galway and collecting club All-Stars. But even with all that, her focus remains on team and legacy.
“Galway camogie has been in a good place for the last four or five years,” she said. “It’s an elite squad really. You can see it becoming more and more strong in the younger girls coming through.”
On Sunday, the O'Duffy Cup is up for grabs once more. And if Galway are to climb the steps of the Hogan Stand, there’s little doubt that Mairéad Dillon — the fearless forward known to teammates as “Modge” — will have played a starring role.
“Finals are for winning,” she said simply. That’s the mindset — and with Dillon in this kind of form, Galway just might do exactly that.
