Louth defeat Antrim to claim Wee County's record fourth junior title
Kate Flood kicked four points at Croke Park as
Louth
held off a stubborn challenge from
Antrim
to claim a record fourth All-Ireland junior
football championship
title.
It was the Ulster side who initially hit the ground running, with captain Bronagh Devlin superbly drilling a third-minute penalty into the roof of the Louth net after Theresa Mellon was adjudged to have been fouled inside the square off a Maria O'Neill free that dropped short.
Mellon followed up with a fine point for the Saffrons and even though Louth, who lost to Fermanagh in last year's junior decider, eventually opened their account through Aoife Russell, Omolara Dahunsi reinforced Antrim's early authority by splitting the posts at the opposite end.
Dahunsi also found the range in response to back-to-back points from Russell and Ceire Nolan, but during the temporary absence of Bronagh Devlin for a yellow card offence, the Wee County cut their deficit to the bare minimum with impressive contributions from Flood and Shannen McLaughlin.
READ MORE
Bronagh Devlin celebrates scoring a goal for Antrim from a penalty. Photograph: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Although Antrim sharpshooter O'Neill was on target not long after Devlin's return, unanswered points by captain Áine Breen and the ever-dependable Flood ensured Louth brought a 0-8 to 1-4 cushion into the interval.
Antrim were still very much in the reckoning, however, and were back on level terms with a second point from O'Neill three minutes into the second period, but Eimear Byrne was on hand to restore Louth's slender lead on 38 minutes.
An outstanding score from the increasingly-influential Flood left Louth two points to the good moving into the final-quarter and they were a step closer to another junior crown when Breen and substitute Mia Duffy added points.
Lucy White subsequently increased Louth's cushion and even though a late surge from Antrim produced three points on the bounce from Ana Mulholland, Mellon and O'Neill's goal-bound effort that was deflected over the bar, the Wee County ultimately prevailed.
LOUTH:
R Lambe Fagan; R Beirth, E Hand, E Murray; H Lambe Sally, S McLaughlin (0-1), L Byrne; A Breen (capt, 0-2), A Halligan; L White (0-1), E Byrne (0-1), S Matthews; A Russell (0-2), K Flood (0-4), C Nolan (0-1).
Subs:
M Duffy (0-1) for Matthews (42 mins), L Collins for Russell (56), G McCrave for Lambe Sally, Z Sweeney for White (both 59).
ANTRIM:
A Devlin; N McIntosh, M Blaney, M Mulholland; S O'Neill, C Brown, C McKenna; A Mulholland (0-1), A Tubridy; T Mellon (0-2), M O'Neill (0-3, 1f), Aoife Kelly; B Devlin (capt, 1-0 pen), O Dahunsi (0-2), L Agnew.
Subs:
A Turley for Tubridy, A Monaghan for Kelly (both 39 mins), B Nic Cathail for Agnew (47), N Jones for B Devlin, Aine Kelly for McKenna (both 56).
Referee:
K Corcoran (Mayo).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
6 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Roscommon GAA club ‘shocked and heartbroken' at the loss of Don Connellan
Kilmore GAA have paid a lengthy and heartfelt tribute to Mr Connellan following his passing at the age of 51. Mr Connellan was a standout player for Roscommon throughout the 1900s and featured in their 2001 Connacht final victory over Mayo. He played primarily at midfielder or in the half-forward line and featured in three senior county finals (1998, 1999 and 2001) for Kilmore GAA. After he finished playing, he moved into management with Moycullen GAA in County Galway. After six seasons in charge of their senior team, he stood back from his position in 2023 due to health difficulties after leading them to two senior county titles and an All-Ireland club semi-final in 2022. He had been suffering with illness when he passed away earlier this week. In a statement, Kilmore GAA said: 'Our club and our community are shocked and heartbroken at the devastating news of the sudden passing of our great friend and true Kilmore legend, Don Connellan. 'No words can truly do justice to what Don meant to Kilmore GAA. He represented our club with distinction over many years — as a player, coach, and manager — showing immense pride, honesty, integrity, and leadership both on and off the pitch. Don was a key player for us on countless occasions and played a vital role in the senior team that reached three County Senior Finals in 1998, 1999, and 2001, narrowly missing out on claiming the Senior championship title.' As well as representing Roscommon at all age grades, Mr Connellan represented Connacht in the Railway Cup and won a Sigerson Cup medal with UCG in 1992. He was part of NUI Galway's All-Ireland winning Sigerson Cup team in 2022. 'Away from the GAA, Don was an exceptional person — a loyal friend to so many and someone who lived his life with the utmost integrity,' continued Kilmore GAA. 'His passing leaves a void that we, as friends and a community, will struggle to come to terms with in the days, months, and years ahead. 'But perhaps Don's greatest quality was the love he had for his family and home. From his childhood in Clooncoose to his life in Moycullen, home and family meant everything to him. Nothing brought him more joy than his regular visits back to Kilmore to see his parents — his late father Donal and his mother Nellie — his brothers Adrian and David, the wider Connellan family, and his many friends in Kilmore. 'Don loved Kilmore, and Kilmore loved Don.' The club paid tribute to his contribution to Moycullen GAA, where he lived with his wife Linda and sons Eoin and Conor for the past two decades. 'As a club and community, we are devastated by Don's loss. But our grief is nothing compared to the unimaginable pain that Linda, Eoin, Conor, Nellie, Adrian, David, and the extended Clancy and Connellan families are feeling. We extend our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to you all,' added Kilmore GAA 'In the days, weeks, and months ahead, we will do everything we can to bring some comfort and light during this dark time. 'Don, you will be deeply missed by all of us who were lucky enough to know you. 'Rest easy, Don - you were one of the best.' Moycullen GAA have also paid tribute to Mr Connellan, who was a member of An Garda Síochána. His funeral details have yet to be announced.
Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
Field Of Gold to miss Juddmonte International Stakes assignment at York
Field Of Gold will bypass York's Juddmonte International Stakes as he continues his recovery from the setback sustained when suffering a shock defeat at Goodwood last week. John and Thady Gosden's Irish 2,000 Guineas and Royal Ascot hero was discovered to be lame after tasting defeat for just the second time this season in the Sussex Stakes and although there are encouraging signs in his recuperation, a step up to 10 furlongs on the Knavesmire has been ruled out by his team. The son of Kingman will undergo X-rays on Wednesday which will give a clearer indication of the prognosis, with Juddmonte's European racing manager Barry Mahon saying: 'The horse is doing well and was back sound, which is good. 'He's got a little bit of swelling in his fetlock but John and Thady are much happier with him so the plan is to do the X-ray on Wednesday. They've just pushed it back a day, as the longer you can leave it, the clearer the picture is. READ MORE 'That will give us some more insight and if the X-ray is clear, we can hopefully start back into some light exercise towards the end of the week or early next week. 'York though is definitely not going to happen at this stage.' Having dazzled when claiming Classic honours in Ireland and scorching to St James's Palace Stakes victory at the Royal meeting, there has been plenty of conversation over whether Field Of Gold will try to repeat those heroics up in trip or continue to be the standout performer of the year at eight furlongs. The Juddmonte star holds entries in both the Prix du Moulin (Longchamp, September 7th) and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Ascot, October 18th) at a mile later in the campaign, while he could yet test the waters up in distance in Leopardstown's Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes on September 13th. However, the colt's name was notably missing from the entries for the Qipco Champion Stakes over further on the same afternoon as his engagement in the QEII, with race planning currently taking a back seat until one of the season's top performers returns to full fitness. Mahon added: 'It was the plan pre-Goodwood to stick at a mile for the time being and obviously there has been no chat about potential races since Goodwood. We're just going to have to let the dust settle and let him get back into exercise and then when he is fit make a plan from there. 'You are getting into that time of year when there is not an abundance of opportunities and there is the Moulin, QEII or you go up to a mile and a quarter for the races at that distance. 'So I wouldn't say there is a huge amount of options, but we'll just wait and see and let the horse tell us.' While the Gosdens might not have Field Of Gold in the Juddmonte International, they still have a very strong contender in Ombudsman. 'He won the Prince of Wales's first time in a Group One and showed he's up to that level. The Eclipse, again he ran a very good race, beaten by a top-class three-year-old [Aidan O'Brien's Delacroix] coming through,' said Thady Gosden. 'He's come out of that race well, had a little freshen up and [is] heading to the Juddmonte International hopefully. 'He's such a genuine horse, has got the speed required and hopefully can run a good one there. 'It's a career-defining race for a lot of horses. If you win the Juddmonte International it certainly means a lot, [with the] depth of the field and the quality to it. And then, of course, York's a very fair track; so often the best horse wins and it's something that everyone aspires to.'
Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
Former Roscommon footballer Don Connellan dies aged 51
Roscommon GAA has paid tribute to former player Don Connellan, who has died at the age of 51. Connellan represented Roscommon at minor, under-21 and senior level. He was a key member of the Connacht SFC winning side in 2001, coming off the bench to feature in the 2-10 to 1-12 provincial final win over Mayo at Dr Hyde Park. He also won three county titles with his home club of Kilmore (1998, 1999, 2001) before moving to Galway , where he managed Moycullen to senior success in 2020 and 2022. 'An overwhelming sense of sorrow and sadness has fallen upon our county and on my own club Kilmore, since the news of Don's passing on Monday,' said Roscommon chairman Brian Carroll. READ MORE 'There are no words that can truly capture what Don meant to Kilmore GAA Club. Don loved Kilmore, and Kilmore loved Don. He was a mighty footballer – a joy to watch on the pitch – and his leadership and class were evident throughout his many years playing for Kilmore. 'Don also showed his immense talent, ability & leadership while representing Roscommon at all levels, making 73 appearances for the Roscommon senior team and scoring 3-38. He also had the honour of representing Roscommon on the Connacht Railway Cup team. 'Off the pitch, Don was equally exceptional – a top-class gentleman and a true friend to so many. I had the pleasure of visiting Don at his home in Moycullen last Wednesday, just days before his sudden passing. Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate to have had that time with him. It's a memory I will always hold close. 'On behalf of Roscommon GAA, I extend my deepest sympathy to Don's wife, Linda; his sons, Eoin and Conor; his mother, Nellie; his brothers, Adrian and David; the extended Clancy and Connellan families; and all of Don's many friends. 'No words can truly console you at this terrible time. Don's absence will be felt deeply in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to have known him.'
