In this instalment of our Women in Sport series, Wicklow GAA's captain Lucy Dunne shares her sporting inspirations, biggest goals and proudest achievements.
A 24-year-old secondary school teacher from Wicklow, Lucy is a rising leader both on and off the pitch. Now in her seventh year with the Wicklow Senior Ladies, she proudly serves as captain of the panel and has developed her game from the backs into a dynamic presence in the forward line in recent seasons.
Her sporting journey has been shaped alongside a strong academic pathway. She began her studies at Maynooth University, completing a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Geography over three years, before going on to earn a Master’s in Geography at the same institution. She later completed a Professional Master of Education at UCD, qualifying as a secondary school teacher.
During her time in Maynooth, she represented the university for four years, reaching two Giles Cup semi-finals and one final, narrowly missing out on silverware. She then continued her intervarsity career with UCD, where she experienced both disappointment and success — reaching a Giles Cup final in her first year before falling short, and ultimately captaining the side as joint captain in her final year as they went on to lift the Giles Cup.
Her journey reflects consistency, leadership and resilience across both sport and education, balancing a demanding playing career with a professional life in teaching.
Here, she shares her sporting story with us.
Name: Lucy Dunne
Profession: Secondary School Teacher
Earliest sporting memory?
My mam and dad bribing me with sweets and toys just to get me out the door and down to the local GAA club. I would go along, but instead of playing, I’d end up walking laps of the pitch, refusing to join in. Eventually, though, I was coaxed into it properly and once I started, I never really stopped.
How did you become involved in your sport?
I come from a strong GAA household, where everyone in my family plays or has been involved in the game. A lot of my childhood was spent on the sidelines at matches. My dad was heavily involved with various clubs and county teams across Wicklow and Dublin, while my mam played camogie for her local club, Kiltegan. My brother has also played with different teams over the years. As a result, I grew up travelling the country to GAA games, which really sparked my interest in the sport and helped shape my involvement from a young age.
What message would you like to share with young women and girls interested in pursuing a career as an athlete?
I think if you’re interested in getting involved in sport at any level, you should absolutely go for it. It opens so many doors, both on and off the pitch, and gives you opportunities you might never have expected. It also brings you friendships that last a lifetime.
Starting out can feel a bit daunting, but everyone has to begin somewhere, and once you take that first step, you’ll be glad you did.
Proudest moment so far…
Has to be either winning the Junior All-Ireland in Croke Park or captaining UCD to a Giles Cup.
The female athlete I admire most is…
The female athlete I admire most is Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh. She is an inspiration and a trailblazer for ladies’ Gaelic footballers across Ireland. To give 17 years of service to the Kerry senior team is an incredible achievement, and her decision to speak out about the treatment of women in sport, to improve conditions for future players, was hugely important in raising awareness.
Do you think there is still a stigma around women in sport?
In certain areas, yes. I’ve often found that when we’ve spoken up about training or match-day facilities, it can sometimes feel like we’re not taken as seriously, with our concerns brushed off or met with dismissiveness. We are serious about our sport. We put in the same level of commitment, effort, and sacrifice as anyone else. That said, I do think things are improving, and there is a growing interest in women’s sport. There’s still a long way to go, but the progress so far is encouraging.
What is the biggest barrier to driving visibility in women’s sports?
I think a big part of it is the opportunity to be seen. You can turn on the TV at the weekend and, between RTÉ and GAA Go, there are plenty of men’s games on, which is great as it’s important for growing the national game and for younger generations to be able to watch it and be inspired. However, outside of TG4, women’s Gaelic football is still rarely shown on television. That said, it has come a long way in recent years, with more games being broadcast and promoted. I also think that if we saw more double-headers across counties, it would create a real opportunity for people to support the women’s game, rather than having to choose between fixtures.
The biggest stigma/misconception that exists in women’s sport is…
We get equal funding and equal access to training and match-day facilities. At present, that’s not the reality. We’re often guests in GAA grounds, so if we have a gym session booked and the men’s team decide they want the space, our booking can sometimes be cancelled. There is also a significant difference in mileage between inter-county footballers. On several occasions, people have commented on how great it is that we now receive mileage, but are surprised to learn that it is still not the same as what male inter-county players receive.
If I wasn’t an athlete I would be…
I would probably be a coach! I do a lot of coaching in the school, and I really enjoy it, so I could definitely see myself doing that!
My favourite pre-competition meal is…
My favourite pregame meal would be a big bowl of cornflakes.
My pre-competition playlist includes…
Amble, Kingfishr, Fred Again, Fontaines D.C.
My daily routine is…
I usually get up around 6:30–7am, have breakfast and take my supplements before heading off to work. When I get home, I’ll do any extra work or preparation that needs to be done, and I usually try to fit in a walk or some stretching before heading to training or the gym. I tend to have plenty of coffee and food breaks throughout the day as well to keep me going.
My biggest sporting goal is…
Hopefully, someday I’ll get back to Croke Park with Wicklow and win another All-Ireland, or lift a county championship with my club, St Pat’s.
Sports brands I love (Irish or otherwise)…
In terms of Irish sports brands, I’d probably have to say O’Reilly’s for gear. We received their kit with UCD this year, and it was unreal. I’ve also been wearing Murphy’s GAA gloves since I was a child – they’re the only gloves I’ll wear. Outside of GAA gear, I’m also a big fan of Alo. I spend a lot of time in sportswear, so it’s nice to have something a bit different off the pitch.
Biggest splurge to celebrate a win…
After we won the All-Ireland back in 2021, we were enjoying the celebrations so much that we decided to book flights and a villa in Portugal three days later!
How do you mind your mental health?
I like to go for walks; I find it beneficial to clear my head. Or I just have a chat with my friends and a good laugh, I often find that helps.
My three desert island beauty products are…
My Sculpted by Aimee Cloud Cream, my Shark LED mask, and a mascara.
I need as much as 7/8 hours of sleep a night because…
It is really important for recovery. My days are also crazy busy, so a good night’s sleep helps set me up for the day.
Confidence, to me, is…
Having belief in your own ability and who you are as a person.
How do you get over a bad performance?
Usually I would go talk to my mam, dad or my boyfriend about the game. They are quite honest with me, and I can always talk it out with them. I try not to dwell on bad performances too much. The way the seasons have gone, there’s usually another game coming thick and fast.
Lastly, why is sport such an integral part of community, on a club, local, national and personal level?
I think it is an integral part of the community because it brings people from every walk of life together and gives you friends for life!
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