Media

Willie O’Reilly: Two totems herald a new TV age of women’s sport

The successes of Shauna Ennis and Leah Williamson last weekend have surely brought about a sea-change in how female sport is perceived by the media

Shauna Ennis captained Meath as they retained their All-Ireland ladies Gaelic football crown against Kerry. The match was watched by 491,000 viewers on TG4, while more than 46,000 people were in attendance at Croke Park. Picture: Inpho

Shauna Ennis and Leah Williamson may not know each other, but they have a lot in common. Both have proved themselves capable leaders, and both are pre-eminent football players. They have taken their teams and supporters to places they could only dream of.

Ennis captained Meath as they retained their All-Ireland ladies Gaelic football crown against Kerry, while Williamson led England to victory in the final of the women’s Euro 2022 over arch-rivals Germany. While ...