Hannah Tyrell focused on recovery from injury after retirement from football

Michael Bolton

Many players can only dream of ending their career on top, but that is exactly what Hannah Tyrell did.

A champion in several sports, Tyrell ended her GAA career winning another All-Ireland football title with Dublin against Meath last August.

Having also represented Ireland in rugby, including the 2017 World Cup, and Shamrock Rovers in soccer, sport is a huge part of Tyrell's life.

For now, the All-Ireland winner is enjoying some downtime.

"It is a little bit of celebrating her and there, just enjoying some more family time. A lot of it has been taken up by recovery and rehab and stuff like that.

"I have definitely found a lot more time to spend with friends and family. That is the big reason why I retired. Just want a bit more time at home and give to family a bit more."

Unfortunately for Tyrell, the farewell with Dublin did not go 100 per cent to plan, as she picked up an ACL injury in the final against Meath.

While staying active in life was always the plan after retiring, recovery and relaxing are now the main focus.

"Hopefully, I am running in the next few weeks, a month or two max. In terms of just getting back on the pitch and doing something proper, we are looking at an August-ish return.

"I am trying not to give my hopes up or put too much pressure on myself. Hopefully, get back for a bit of club football,

"I love sport, it is a huge part of my life. I generally enjoy it and love watching a number of different sports. I am a bit sport mad, you could say."

Hannah was speaking at the launch of the Lidl National Football League, where Dublin will start the campaign as All-Ireland champions.

Added to the excitement are the new rules introduced in Ladies Football, which are likely to result in a more open and attacking style of play.

One of the most feared forwards in her playing days, Tyrell is looking forward to seeing how they play out and admitted frustration over how defensive teams have become.

"I think they are going to be great. I think they are going to be hugely exciting for the game. The solo and go will be great for the game; it will speed it up.

"The rules around the tackle and how that will be adapted will be interesting, but I think it is much more interesting.

"The three up and four back, as someone who ended up in the full-forward line a lot against packed blanket defensive, I think it will alleviate a bit of that and allow some of the killer inside forwards to do a bit of damage.

"Teams had to really adapt and come up with creative ideas to get the likes of me free. In the women's game, there were lots of ways to try to get myself, Carla Rowe, and Kate Sullivan out from inside there, where it is jam-packed.

"You want to get close to the goal. At one point in the All-Ireland final, the Meath tactics outside of defending were to bring me all the way to my goal and to Abby Shields.

"That is incredibly frustrating, but a very clever tactic. "