There’s always a run on Avoca’s famous American-style Blueberry Pancakes the day before a Ladies GAA Football match, and now we know why. They’re part of the pre-match ritual for All-Ireland Ladies Senior Football Champions Vicki Wall, Emma Duggan and Katie Newe and members of the Senior Ladies Meath team. The day before they play, the team heads to Avoca Dunboyne for what has become an integral part of the lead-up to matches. “Our team is motivated by how close-knit we are. So, we always get together at Avoca, and we all order the delicious Blueberry Pancakes to fuel up before a game!,” says Katie Newe. The pancakes are surprisingly healthy: Light, a bit like a drop-scone or ‘pikelet’, and very more-ish, they are also rich in essential elements and antioxidants. It’s one of Avoca’s most-loved recipes. “The staff all know us by name and know to expect lots of orders for the pancakes!,” says Emma Duggan. “This year, as soon as the Championships started, Avoca announced it was opening up for indoor dining again and we were first in the queue!”

With the team relishing their special pre-match #AvocaMoments, they have also had some very special post-match moments too, not least when they celebrated their historic win over Dublin. On the occasion of the All-Ireland Ladies Senior Football Championship match between Dublin and Meath at Croke Park, the atmosphere was electric. Not many gave Meath a chance going into this match, but as team captain Shauna Ennis said in her victory speech, everyone in the dressing-room was confident. For a group of players with so little experience at this level, their achievement was truly remarkable. Meath’s particular brand of counter-attacking football has meant the team has gone from strength to strength in the last couple of years. Their rise has been meteoric: As recently as 2019 they were playing in Division 3 of the National League; They are the now the top ladies’ team in the country.

For Vicki Wall, the feelings and emotions evoked by the win are something the team are determined to experience again. “It felt absolutely amazing to win, and we want to keep that up! Our routine of getting together as a team away from the competitive aspect, talking as friends and spending time together, as we do at Avoca, is something we will continue to value.”

As Avoca Dunboyne is located at the mid-point of all the clubs the ladies play for, it’s the natural meeting place for the group, home territory of a most familiar kind. “This cherished ritual in our perfect meeting spot is the perfect way to set us up for the match ahead as well as the weekend,” says Emma. “The same staff members see us every Saturday morning and know exactly what we are going to order – they are always so friendly, so there’s a real sense of comfort in this routine we have created.”

“These moments we have spent together are how we have got to know each other so well, and we look forward to it every week,” says Katie.

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