By Jackie Cahill

New Dublin manager Gregory McGonigle has tipped Jack McCaffrey's younger sister Sarah to emerge as a star of the future for the county's ladies senior football team.

Former All-Ireland minor medallist Sarah has already tasted senior fare with Dublin but the Clontarf star will be hoping to nail down a regular place in the side under former Monaghan boss McGonigle.

2013 All-Ireland SFC medallist Jack McCaffrey is renowned for his searing pace and McGonigle believes that younger sibling Sarah displays many of the same attributes.

McGonigle explained: "I saw her play for Trinity, she's a Fresher this year.

"We made contact with her and she's done very well. She's fast and tall and with a basketball background, she will be a massive addition around the middle of the field with her technical ability. Plus she has a great work ethic."

McCaffrey is just one of the new generation of Dublin players that McGonigle is backing to take the senior team forward over the coming years.

Carla Rowe, Molly Lambe and Margaret Mohan are other young players to emerge from the underage ranks who are members of McGonigle's squad.

He also confirmed that 2010 All-Ireland winning captain Denise Masterson, now 34, is back on board while another former All Star, Siobhán McGrath, has also committed for the 2014 campaign.

Elaine Kelly has informed McGonigle that she has retired while another experienced player, Orlagh Egan, is not part of the set-up at this point in time.

But McGonigle has left the door open for both players to possibly link up with the panel later in the season.

Sinead Goldrick will captain the Jackies again this year, with Lyndsey Davey named as vice-captain.

After Dublin's Tesco Homegrown Division 1 opener against Monaghan fell foul of the weather last weekend, McGonigle's players will open their campaign with a home fixture against Kerry at Naomh Mearnóg next Sunday.

The Derry native acknowledged: "It doesn't become any easier of a task. Last week we would have been playing Monaghan and obviously I'd know them well but this week we're playing Kerry, who I would rate in the top two or three teams in Ireland as well.

"I know their manager William O'Sullivan and I would consider him as one of the country's top managers.

"It's not going to be easy but that's Division 1 for you."

Elsewhere in Division 1, last year's beaten TG4 All-Ireland finalists Monaghan get their season underway with a home tie against Laois, Donegal host League champions Cork and Mayo make the trip to Tyrone.

Fixtures - Sunday February 9

TESCO Homegrown National Football League Division 1

Monaghan v Laois

Aughnamullen, 2pm (G Corrigan)


Donegal v Cork

Robert Emmett, Castlefin, 12.30pm (G Chapman)

Dublin v Kerry

Naomh Mearnóg, 1pm (J. Flood)

Tyrone v Mayo

Healy Park, Healy Park, Omagh, 12pm (T McShea)


TESCO Homegrown National Football League Division 2

Galway v Down

Tuam Stadium, 2pm (G McMahon)

Westmeath v Fermanagh

St. Loman's, 1.30pm (PJ Rabbitte)

Meath v Cavan

Donaghmore/Ashbourne, 2.00pm (D McEnery)

TESCO Homegrown National Football League Division 3

Tipperary v Armagh

Grangemockler, 2pm (N. McCormack)

Wexford v Waterford

Grantstown, 2pm (K. Phelan)

Offaly v Leitrim

O'Brien Park, Tullamore (C. McManus)

Longford v Sligo

Newtowncashel, 2pm (S. Regan)

TESCO Homegrown National Football League Division 4

Wicklow v Antrim

Blessington 2pm (J. Murray)

Limerick v Roscommon

Tournafulla 2pm (S. Mulvihill)

Louth v Derry

O'Connells, Castlebellingham, 2pm (C. Forde) Tweet

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