Sunday was the marquee day on the calendar for ladies gaelic football. Players from Dublin, Kildare and Down went up the Hogan Stand steps after claiming All-Ireland glory.
Among them was a footballer from near the village of Saul in Co. Down: Erin Sands, the granddaughter of Republican hunger striker Bobby Sands.
And they won congratulations our Erin Sands and her team mates so proud of you ❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/QHnZDHLkRj
— roisin turley (@roisinturley) August 13, 2023
Down overcame Limerick in the All-Ireland junior final by just two points - 1-07 to 0-8 to claim the All-Ireland for just the second time in the county's history and the first time since 2000.
In what was an unbearably close encounter, the two sides were separated only by Down's 41st-minute goal, when substitute Orla Swail nailed the ball into the back of Limerick's goal.
CÚL faighte ag Orla Swail!!
12 minutes to go...@DownLGFA | #GAABEO
BEO/LIVE ar @TG4TV#ProperFan
pic.twitter.com/vWuBoTes5Y— Ladies Football (@LadiesFootball) August 13, 2023
While it was a proud day for Down, it was also a memorable day for the Sands' family and clubmates as they watched Erin grace the steps of the revered Hogan Stand.
Sands, who plays for St.Patricks GAC Co.Down in Saul and the Down County team, was named on the bench for yesterday's encounter. Wearing number 19, she was an unused substitute in the match.
She's the daughter of Gerard Sands, the only child of Bobby Sands, who passed away on hunger strike in 1981.
Erin Sands is probably best known for her singing ability. She's achieved internet fame a few times for her rendition of 'Grace'.
Her version with folk singer Damien Quinn has been viewed over a million times on youtube.
Others might be familiar with this version sang in a pub around 2020.
Sands is also often heard performing Amhrán Na Bhfiann before club matches in Down.
Down Junior Football Championship #DownClub2022 #ParadorLodge #DownGAATV
Dromara v Teconnaught
Erin Sands from the @SaulGac_AnDun club who sang tonight’s Amhrán Na Bhfiann pic.twitter.com/7o0DoMY9qf— Official Down GAA (@OfficialDownGAA) October 14, 2022
With any luck, Erin will be on the microphone at the homecoming in Down this evening and fans heading to St.Patricks Park will get the opportunity to take it all in.
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