Grainne McLaughlin was inspirational as Antrim won the TG4 All-Ireland JFC title for the first time in 10 years.

McLaughlin kicked over 8 points (two frees) and was involved in a lot of Antrim’s good play.

First half goals from Lara Dahunsi and Cathy Carey (penalty) gave the Saffrons a five point lead at the break - 2-05 to 0-06. The penalty which Carey put away in the sixth minute was a strange decision made by referee Lorraine O’Sullivan. 

Eimear Smyth kept her side in the contest kicking five points in the opening half (just one from a free).

Inside the opening eight minutes of the second half Antrim stretched the lead to nine points. Fermanagh could only get while Carey sealed a fine win with her second and Antrim's third goal in the 53rd minute. 

Smyth and Grainne McLaughlin exchanged early frees before Antrim got their first goal; a mistake in the Fermanagh defence allowed Dahunsi gained possession and she lobbed Roisin Gleeson with a terrific shot. 

Smyth replied with a fine point for Fermanagh. In the sixth minute referee Lorraine O’Sullivan awarded a penalty to Antrim; much to the amazement of the majority of people in the Athletic Grounds. Saffrons’ captain Carey tucked away the penalty. 

That score rocked the Erne County but they did cut the gap to three in the 16th minute but those scores were wiped out in the space of one minute.

Antrim’s forwards were dangerous and a point from Bronagh Devlin in the 19th minute extended the Saffron’s lead to six points.

Right before half-time, Smyth was on target again, making room before she shot over a good point. 

At the start of the second half Smyth was unlucky to see her effort come off the post. Antrim went down the field and went seven ahead in the 35th minute with points from McLaughlin and Caitlin Taggart. 

The lead was nine in the 38th minute as Fermanagh struggled with the pace of the Antrim forwards and couldn’t find a way to get scores themselves. 

Fermanagh’s first point in the second half didn’t arrive until the 43rd minute; Smyth with a free. Once again Emma Kelly’s side hit back with McLaughlin once again to the fore.

Carey grabbed a third goal in the 53rd minute as Antrim claimed the West County Hotel Cup for a third time.