Louth are "going flat out to win" LGFA final, says boss

Louth face Antrim in the LGFA Lidl National Football League Division Three final at St. Oliver Plunkett Park, Crossmaglen, this afternoon at 1.00pm.

Kevin Larkin’s side have delivered consistency across the campaign with five wins, one draw and one defeat. Shannen McLoughlin is available after her red card against Roscommon was overturned.

READ NEXT: Dundalk FC battle back to earn draw with Candystripes

Manager Larkin said, “So, it went to a CC here, and then she was cleared. I think that the reason was that she made contact, like a clear striking in action.

“But look, thankfully, there was a bit of common sense. ‘Sha’ has never even got a yellow card in her career, never mind a red card. We will put it behind us anyway, and it was a very fair hearing, and they were great with ‘Sha’ as well.

“They explained very clearly, and look, it was rescinded, so that's the main thing.”

Louth has no major injury concerns ahead of the final, with a few players still being managed. The overall picture is positive.

“We've a few on the physio table down there, but no, we're good, thank God.

“Mark's doing a great job with them and stuff like that, and he really looks after them and has them on programmes and things like that. But no, hopefully now, please God, a full bit of health going into it.”

Promotion

Promotion to Division Two has been secured, and one of the key objectives of the season has been met.

“I suppose it's great following on from last year. We missed out by a point last year, and that was pretty devastating. Because the Down game in particular last year, we felt like we just didn't perform and that cost us, and it's mad.

“Last year, we finished on 15 points, and we missed out this year. We were 16, so it is very, very fine margins. But no, listen, it's great, and it's such a great achievement, especially for the newer players.

“We've had such a big turnaround. So, to get up to Division Two is where you want to be. You have to be competing. If Louth really wants to push on, they have to be up in the high divisions.

“Again, Kildare and Dublin have come down from Division One, so you have to be competing against them, teams. Especially for all the younger girls, there's a great minor team coming through and things like that.

“So, to get them into a senior setup competing against the likes of Kildare and Dublin is fantastic, and it's only going to bring on the county.”

Antrim

Louth have beaten Antrim twice in recent meetings, including the 2025 Junior All-Ireland final.

“Yeah, they're a very, very good team, Antrim. They've only actually lost twice in, I think, nearly two years now to us twice.

“In fairness, for them to come up from Division 4 straight away, go up to Division 2, you know, it's an amazing achievement for them.

“And they've just so much strength all over their panel. They're just a very, very good team. Look, I suppose in ladies' football, that's what happens.

“You end up playing the same teams over and over again. But look, we won't be taking Antrim for granted, like, they're a very, very good team.

“They'll be taking us seriously, and I'm sure they're out for a bit of revenge as well from the All-Ireland from last year. So yeah, look, it's a great game to look forward to, and thankfully we won't be seeing them in the Championship then after that.”

Momemtum

Larkin places clear value on the league as momentum and experience are key, and silverware remains the objective.

“To me, I always find it baffling that people who kind of put down the league. It's given us great momentum. It gave us great momentum last year.

“And the championship comes down to little details. And I think last year, us competing in Division Three against the likes of Laois and Wexford and all these teams.

“When we went into a Junior All-Ireland, it gave us that competitive edge and stuff like that. So yeah, look, winning the trophy, it doesn't come along that... I played football myself for years.

“I won one Senior Championship with my club, and it was the best day of my life.

“So, like I said, winning trophies, it doesn't happen that often, and it gives us great momentum. And the league is so important.

“It's like you talk about blooding in new players. For younger girls coming through now, playing against the likes of Kildare and Dublin and senior teams, that's great for them.

“So yeah, really looking forward to it. And yeah, we're going flat out to win it. There's no holding back or anything like that. We want to win and simple as, if we don't, we'll be gutted.”