Louth Ladies crowned All-Ireland JFC Champions

Louth Ladies wrote another proud chapter in their footballing history with a hard-fought 0-13 to 1-8 win over Antrim in the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Junior Football Championship Final this afternoon at Croke Park.

It was a day of redemption for Kevin Larkin’s side, who banished the heartbreak of last year’s final defeat to secure their fourth All-Ireland Junior title, and with it, a well-earned return to the Intermediate ranks.

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In a dramatic opening just two minutes in, the Wee County were dealt an early blow as Antrim were awarded a penalty for a push inside the square.

Bronagh Devlin stepped up with composure and buried it past Rebecca Lambe Fagan to give the Saffrons a dream start.

A point from Theresa Mellon moments later had Antrim firmly in the driving seat, but to their credit, Louth never flinched.

Aoife Russell steadied the ship with a well-taken point, and from there, the Wee County began to wrestle back momentum.

Despite a strong start from Antrim, including a rasping effort off the crossbar by Sarah O'Neill, Louth’s response was calm and composed.

Scores from Russell again, Céire Nolan, and Shannen McLaughlin narrowed the gap, while Kate Flood, captain in 2019 and still a class act, found her range with a pair of crucial scores before half-time.

When the hooter sounded for the interval, Louth had turned a four-point deficit into a one-point lead, 0-8 to 1-4. The confidence was back, the energy was building, and crucially, the belief never left.

Half time: Louth 0-8 Antrim 1-4

The second half was a masterclass in control and grit from the Leinster side. Eimear Byrne’s early score restored momentum, and with Flood pulling the strings and Breen leading by example, Louth began to turn the screw.

Louth’s defence stood tall during Antrim’s best spells, with Eimear Murray and McLaughlin particularly heroic under pressure.

And when substitute Mia Duffy and Lucy White added their names to the scoresheet midway through the second half, the red jerseys stretched their lead to five points.

As the game ticked into the final minute, a flurry of late scores from Mulholland, Mellon, and Maria O'Neill brought Antrim to within two.

Louth were reduced to 14 after captain Breen was shown a yellow card, adding tension to a frantic closing few moments.

The full-time whistle brought jubilation to the Reds. After the pain of defeat in 2024, this was a sweet, sweet reward.

With the West County Hotel Cup hoisted high by Breen, Louth celebrated their fourth All-Ireland Junior title, and a place among the Intermediate grade next season.

Full time: Louth 0-13 Antrim 1-8

Louth scorers: Kate Flood (0-4), Aoife Russell (0-2), Áine Breen (0-2), Céire Nolan (0-1), Shannen McLaughlin (0-1), Eimear Byrne (0-1), Mia Duffy (0-1), Lucy White (0-1).

Antrim scorers: Bronagh Devlin (1-0 pen), Omolara Dahunsi, Theresa Mellon (0-2 each), Maria O'Neill (0-3, 1f), Ana Mulholland (0-1).

Louth: Rebecca Lambe-Fagan; Rachel Beirth, Eilís Hand, Eimear Murray; Holly Lambe-Sally, Shannen McLaughlin, Louise Byrne; Áine Breen (c), Aoife Halligan; Lucy White, Eimear Byrne, Seoda Matthews; Aoife Russell, Kate Flood, Céire Nolan.

Subs: Mia Duffy on for Seoda Matthews (42'), Laura Collins on for Aoife Russell (56'), Gemma McCrave on for Holly Lambe-Sally (59'), Zara Sweeney on for Lucy White (59').

Antrim: Áine Devlin; Niamh McIntosh, Maeve Blaney, Maeve Mulholland; Sarah O’Neill, Ciara Brown, Carla McKenna; Ana Mulholland, Áine Tubridy; Theresa Mellon, Maria O’Neill, Aoife Kelly; Brongah Devlin (c), Omolara Dahunsi, Laura Agnew.

Subs: Aoife Turley on for Áine Tubridy (39'), Aiobheann Monaghan on for Aoife Kelly (39'), Bláithin Nic Cathail on for Laura Agnew (47'), Nicole Jones for Bronagh Devlin (56'), Áine Kelly on for Carla McKenna (56').

Referee: Kevin Corcoran (Mayo).