Emma Kelly has notified the Antrim LGFA Executive of her decision to stand down from the role of Senior Intercounty Manager with immediate effect.

Emma has led Antrim Ladies through their most successful ever period, taking the county to two All Ireland Junior Finals, winning the 2022 All Ireland Junior Championship, the 2023 National League Division 4 and Ulster Intermediate Championship for the first time in the county’s history and just narrowly falling short in the All Ireland Intermediate Championship Semi-Final.

The County Executive wishes to place on record our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the work Emma and her team have put in over the last four years, the dedication and passion she has shown for Ladies Gaelic Football in County Antrim, both at the highest levels of intercounty competition and working with local clubs to grow the grassroots game.

The County Board will shortly begin the process to appoint a successor.

Emma Kelly

Emma Kelly has resigned as Antrim Senior Ladies Manager with immediate effect

I am writing to inform you that my management team and myself will be stepping down from Antrim Senior Ladies with immediate effect.

The last 4 years have been an honour and privilege to have taken the county.

I am proud to say we did win a lot of silverware and gave the county a lot of big days out over that time. Bringing pride, belief and expectation to the Antrim Jersey. We made people sit up and take notice of our county.

• 2021 – Ulster Junior Winners / All Ireland runners up
• 2022 – Ulster Junior Winners / All Ireland Junior Winners (after replay)
• 2023 – Division 4 Winners / Ulster Intermediate Winners / All Ireland Intermediate semi-finalists

Unfortunately, this year was a transitional year and we had a lot of challenges both on and off the field but to be fair we didn’t look out of place up in Division 3. We were close in a few games but close doesn’t win games.

I would like to thank every single girl who was involved over the 4 years, without you none of the success and memories would have been possible. Thank you also to their clubs for developing them into such good players and for working with us and supporting the girls when needed.

To my 3 captains, Aislinn, Cathy and Ciara, no one sees how much extra commitment, effort and time you put in off the pitch with the captains role. It isn’t all the high life. Meetings, launches, events, travelling around the country. Thank you for doing all that with pride and for leading by example.

Thanks to Kyla who has been there from the start of our journey and to all those who were involved over the years- Stephen, Oisín, Ursula, Paula and anyone else who helped out at trainings or on match days.

Thanks to Debbie, Anthony and all the county board for your support over the years. Also to all the sponsors, our bus man Nigel from J&K buses who always made away days better. The physio group – in particular Brendan and Ian who took good care of the girls. All the clubs who let us use their facilities for training/games over the years, in particular Davitts, Cargin and also Antrim GAA for the use of Dunsilly, thank you.

Thanks to all the supporters, all the parents who brought your children to games to let them find real role models to look up to. All who got behind the girls at every opportunity and were that extra push to get across the line when we needed it.

I wish Antrim all the best in the future, no doubt with the talent available the silverware will not be long in returning and the saffs will rise again.

Thanks for the memories

Emma Kelly