Inside Track: Louth lasses contribute handsomely to a great season

Anything you can do, we can do better. Something Louth women’s team could say to their male counterparts, but almost certainly wouldn’t.

All are part of the collective, contributing to a season the county has not experienced for a long time, if, indeed, ever.

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When the men’s, underage and boys’ teams went on a provincial rampage, they had mighty support from the girls, especially on the day if the seniors’ Leinster final. Two trophy-wins and an All-Ireland final outing had everyone cheering.

Menfolk may not have reciprocated in like fashion on Sunday last, but there was enough noise coming from the Croke Park stands to push the women’s fifteen to a magnificent two-point All-Ireland final win over a hotly-fancied Antrim team.

Word from the north was that this Antrim team was above ordinary. They had gone unbeaten in 16 matches, and were backboned by the all-conquering Moneyglass team. When they went to the front with an early goal from the spot, it looked as if the hype might be justified.

But all that the flying start did was to give an edge to the Louth team’s determination not to make it two All-Ireland final defeat in-a-row. Last year’s loss to Fermanagh hurt – the message from Kevin Larkin’s troops was, there wasn’t going to be another.

By half-time Louth were in front, and then in the second half kicked a succession of points to really put it up to Antrim.

However, before finishing the game off, Louth had to withstand a good Antrim comeback that brought the Ulster champions to within three points.

It was time for celebrations after a last Antrim attack yielded a point rather than the goal they need to bring the sides level.

An eighth junior All-Ireland final appearances and a fourth title. Hopes are high on the return to intermediate football. The girls have played their part in further embellishing a great season for the county.

Three Leinster final wins, and appearance in an All-Ireland final, and now the supreme award, achieved by the ladies’ junior side at Croke Park on Sunday.