Dublin camogie captain Ashling Maher knows all about resilience, teamwork and playing the long game - and it turns out those skills are just as important when it comes to buying your first home.
Speaking on Brendan Courtney’s My First Home, Ashling opened up about navigating the emotional rollercoaster of house hunting, balancing elite sport with a demanding career, and why having the right support system makes all the difference.
For many first-time buyers, getting the keys to a home can feel impossible at times. But Ashling’s story is proof that persistence, patience and good advice can take you further than you think.
Fresh off an incredible few years leading Dublin camogie through a transformative era in women’s sport, Ashling and her fiancée, Laura, were also quietly tackling another major milestone behind the scenes - buying their very first home together.
And while Ashling admits the process was "emotionally taxing", she also describes it as one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.
"You really need to make it a priority and almost another full-time job for a period of time," she says.
Like so many couples across Ireland, the pair spent months balancing rent, savings, work schedules and endless property viewings while trying not to lose hope.
From bidding wars to renovation dreams and difficult decisions, their experience was relatable in every possible way.
But through it all, Ashling remained grounded, practical and optimistic - qualities that undoubtedly helped her both on the pitch and in the property market.
"It’s really difficult not to get emotional when you’re thinking about where you want to spend the rest of your life," she explains. "Can we have a family here? What could this place become?"
One of the biggest turning points came when the couple decided to seek guidance and properly map out their options.
Ashling credits expert advice and practical support as being hugely important throughout the process, especially when it came to understanding mortgages, borrowing potential and navigating the paperwork.
"Being able to put your hand up and say, 'I haven’t got a clue about this, somebody help me,' was really important," she admits.
That’s where the support of AIB Mortgage Advisors became invaluable. From explaining approval in principle to helping buyers understand deposits, interest rates and timelines, having someone to guide the journey can make the entire process feel far less overwhelming.
Brendan Courtney’s My First Home shines a light on exactly that - real stories from real people who have successfully taken their first step onto the property ladder, even when the odds felt stacked against them.
Ashling’s story is especially inspiring because it highlights something many women need to hear: you do not have to have everything perfectly figured out to get started.
"It’s a whirlwind when you’re in it," she laughs. "You kind of have to learn quickly and take on as much as you can."
The couple eventually found their dream home in North Dublin after months of searching - a house with good bones, plenty of potential and even a neighbour who invited them in to show what the future could look like.
Now, they’re slowly renovating, painting walls, creating cosy corners and turning it into a home filled with personality and possibility.
"A tin of paint does a lot and isn’t very expensive," Ashling jokes. "We’re taking it one step at a time."
At its heart, Ashling’s story is about far more than bricks and mortar. It’s about partnership, perseverance and believing that home ownership is still achievable - even if the path there isn’t always straightforward.
And with expert guidance from AIB Mortgage Advisors helping buyers navigate every stage of the journey, that dream can start to feel a whole lot closer.
For more expert advice and tales from the trenches of first time buying, tune into new episodes of Brendan Courtney's My First Home every Monday on all podcast platforms
For more information or to speak to a mortgage advisor, checkout aib.ie.
