Laois edged out Wexford in yesterday's All-Ireland intermediate final by a scoreline of 1-13 to 1-11.
They put forth a rock-solid defensive performance led by Player of the Match Aisling Donoher at full-back.
Her success this season is particularly remarkable given what she has had to deal with away from the pitch. Her son Dan is well-known nationally after the collective efforts of people to support the 'Do it for Dan' fundraising campaign as he continues to fight Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
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Aisling had to step away from her inter-county career for three years while coming to terms with Dan's condition but has bravely returned to the fold and clearly managed to regain top form despite enduring such a physical and mental toll.
But thankfully there were only joyous scenes yesterday as she was cheered on at Croke Park by her mam, husband Niall (who also used to play for Laois), daughter Sophie and of course Dan himself.
Her interview afterwards was powerful viewing as one can imagine with some beautifully light moments too like when she joked about giving her award to her mam even though all she wanted was a hug.
Aisling said: "My little girl is 11 months old. Dan was over in the Cusack with my husband Niall, and I just couldn't wait to wrap my two arms around him.
"There's so much emotion. When I came back in November: I had kids, Covid and stuff, three years out - I thought to myself, 'am I absolutely crazy going back?'
"But I just thought to myself, no I'll go for it. The group of girls are just a really special group.
"We all had each other's backs from day one. I'm just so happy that it went our way today. On a personal level, they were so supportive of me the whole way through.
"Yesterday, I was at Dan's Little big Heroes' graduation, I was there with six other very six kids. The girls came along, they were all there watching them graduate.
"This is just a game of football but it's amazing. You have to enjoy it, and make friends, and if you win great, but if not, you make the best of friends.
Lastly, she added: "Today I was doing it for Dan...and Sophie! But yeah, I was doing it for Dan."
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