HER SURROUNDINGS now are rather colder than she’s been used to, but Gráinne Houston is just glad to be back playing football at home.
In October 2012, Houston upped sticks and moved to Abu Dhabi to take up a teaching post in the United Arab Emirates capital.
She spent three years in Abu Dhabi, but she’s home again in Cloghan – and back in the green and gold of Donegal.
Picture caption: Grainne Houston of Donegal in action against Eva O’Dea, Clare, during their game in this year’s National League. Picture by Oliver McVeigh / Sportsfile
Last year, Houston missed the League campaign because of her location, but returned to the squad for the Championship.
Having been an unused substitute when Donegal defeated Monaghan to win the Ulster SFC title for the first time, she played 43 minutes of the All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Armagh.
“I wasn’t up to the mark last year when I came back,” she says now, after kicking two points in Donegal’s 0-13 to 0-6 Division 2 semi-final win over Cavan in Beragh on Saturday.
“I forgot how physical these girls are. I’m getting myself back into gear again.
“The football was a good standard in Abu Dhabi, but it’s just not as intense. You can get away from them a bit quicker.
“I’m coming into my game again. It’s tough coming back into it, but it’s good to get back on the scoreboard again. I’m enjoying being back out with the girls again.”
Houston, who won an All-Ireland ladies intermediate title with Donegal in 2010, graduated with a degree in primary teaching in 2010.
Bar some ‘subbing’ posts in Dublin, she found work impossible to come by – and the UAE became a possibility.
In 2011 she won the senior championship with Glenfin, but the football at home had to be put aside.
Last year, Donegal won all seven of their League games, but lost against Armagh in the final at Parnell Park and the 4-18 to 4-6 scoreline still haunts them.
They’re back again in the final with Micheál Naughton’s team targeting promotion to the top flight.
Houston says: “It’s good for me to be in a League final and back playing with the girls.
“I wasn’t here last year for the League, but I know that the girls were very disappointed and that’s a hurt that they still carry with them. They’ll remember that and won’t make the same mistakes that they did last year in the final.”
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