​Antrim have booked their spot in the All-Ireland junior final after a hard-fought 3-14 to 2-13 victory over Sligo in the semi-final on Sunday at Clones. The Saffrons secured a place in a fourth junior-level decider within six years, courtesy of a gritty win at St Tiernach’s Park, where Maria O’Neill delivered a sensational performance with a remarkable hat-trick to steer her team toward a special weekend for Antrim football. This win sets up a high-stakes clash in the Croke Park showpiece as Antrim prepare to take on Carlow in the final on Sunday, 2 August, following Carlow’s comprehensive 4-7 to 1-7 triumph over Derry in the other semi-final held at Breffni Park.
In the intermediate division, Fermanagh advanced to the All-Ireland final after edging past Down with a 1-11 to 0-12 scoreline in the semi-final. The Ernesiders were led by the prolific Eimear Smyth, who top-scored with an astonishing 1-10, underpinning Fermanagh’s path to the final. Smyth’s dazzling display helped her side overcome Down and book a date with Roscommon, who defeated Westmeath to reach the final. The stage is now set for a pair of compelling showdowns at the All-Ireland level, with Antrim meeting Carlow in the junior final and Fermanagh taking on Roscommon in the intermediate decider, both culminating in big-match jitters and championship atmospheres as teams chase glory on the national stage. The weekend’s results have injected fresh excitement into the campaigns, promising a summer of thrilling Gaelic football across both the junior and intermediate grades. Fans will be watching closely as the two finals approach, savoring the best of Gaelic football as Antrim and Fermanagh aim to crown their seasons with national silverware.