By Eoghan Tuohey

If DNA is anything to go by, Donegal native Sarah Shovlin is primed to shine at this year's Renault GAA World Games in Waterford. Her own credentials, both GAA focused and on the athletics track in her youth, also make for impressive viewing.

The daughter of 1992 All-Ireland Championship winner, Martin Shovlin, Sarah's club Naomh Naille won two club championships in a row, claiming the Junior crown in 2016 and the Intermediate in 2017, a victory made all the sweeter as she captained the side to an historic victory. Though only a month old when her father was a member of that heralded All-Ireland winning squad, it's a piece of family history she's only too happy to have been involved in!

"Gaelic Football has always been a real 'family affair' in our house. My father, Martin Shovlin played for Naomh Ultan at a very young age. He also played for Donegal and was a member of the 1992 All Ireland Winning Team. With the Sam Maguire in Donegal at the time, I guess I was one of the lucky ones who got to sit in the cup at just one-month old."

The talented half back/midfield operator was also a gifted cross country runner in her day, securing two All-Ireland medals at her peak.

Having initially started her footballing career playing with a mixed team in the rural club of Naomh Ultan, she then joined Naomh Naille at a later stage.

"I have been playing Gaelic Football since I was about 8 years old and got to play at both club and county level. I started playing underage with my local Club, CLG Naomh Ultan, a small Club in South West Donegal which was a mixed team. I was lucky enough through the years to get to play alongside my brother and two sisters for Naomh Ultan.

I then joined a ladies team - CLG Naomh Naille in Mountcharles where I played ladies football along with my two sisters and we have been there since."

The 26 year old, who is based in South Perth, and now plays her club football with Southern Districts, was first selected to represent the state team, before earning a spot on the Australian side who will compete at this year's World Games.

"I was delighted to be picked to play for the Western Australia state team, but then to go further and to get to play in the World Games is something else. It is very exciting, and I am looking forward to it. It will be an experience of a lifetime and to play alongside people you have never met before and to meet new people playing for different countries along the way will be great. For the GAA World Games to be held in Ireland is also an extra bonus.

"Growing up, every person that plays Gaelic football dream of getting to play in Croke Park. We will never remember every single football field that we have ever played on but I know for a fact whichever teams make it to the finals in Croke Park, it will be a football field you will never forget that you played on."