All Ireland LGFA Intermediate Championship

Westemath v Antrim at St Loman’s Mullingar

Antrim travel to Mullingar on Sunday in Group 4 of the TG4 All Ireland series, with the Lake County seeking a return to the senior grade at the first time of asking. The midlanders were relegated from Senior last season after having won the All Ireland Intermediate title the previous year, so they are a formidable outfit But it’s Emma Kelly’s side who are in the ascendency; having captured Ulster glory against Tyrone just a fortnight ago, the Saffs will more than fancy their chances against the hosts, who exited the Leinster Championship at the hands of last year’s All Ireland runners-up Wexford at the semi-final. 

The Saffrons have had a great year and following their All-Ireland Junior success in 2002 which was followed by claiming the Division Four league title. A better indicator might be their success in this summer’s Ulster Intermediate championship where they beat Tyrone in the final.

They beat Monaghan in the semi-final and though they lost to Tyrone in the group stages, the game was a ‘dead rubber’ as they had already qualified for the Ulster final, and when they met the Red Hand girls again the final they came out on top.

Team captain Cathy Carey is pleased with how far they have come but is still a little apprehensive about what lies ahead. “We are still at the stage where we got over the Ulster Intermediate and know what to expect, but going further into the All-Ireland we’re still a bit green,” said the Moneyglass stalwart.

 Westmeath had an average league campaign, finishing fourth in Division 2 having scored as much as they conceded and Tyrellspass wing-back Chloe Kelly told Midlands103 that the host county are very aware of Antrim’s momentum, and whilst onlookers may see Westmeath as favourites on paper, the team certainly don’t see it that way. 

This is a historic game for the Antrim girls as they enter brand new territory. The wins in the league and in Ulster will stand them in good stead, but they don’t have a lot of experience at this level. However those league and championship successes will have done their confidence a world of good and they go to Mullingar in a good frame of mind.

To the best of my knowledge the pitch at St Loman’s is a 4G surface and that might give the Midlanders an advantage, but Antrim can now mix it with the best and a win on Sunday would be the perfect way to start this new campaign.  

Westmeath v Antrim 

Sunday 11 June 2023 – 2pm  at St Loman’s GAC. Mullingar