In a scorching battle of skill, stamina, and sheer determination, Athenry Ladies successfully defended their All-Ireland Minor Championship crown in dramatic fashion at the Meath GAA Centre of Excellence, overcoming old rivals Emo in a nail-biting final that will live long in memory.
The reigning champions began their campaign with determination, dispatching Emo 17–12 in the opening group game clash before toppling Na Fianna 20–10, setting up a much-anticipated final against Emo. The stage was set for a classic.
The final lived up to every expectation. Emo, stung by their earlier loss, stormed ahead in the first inning with a commanding 17–6 lead. But Athenry, famed for their resilience, rallied. Gritty batting and resolute fielding saw the Galway side claw their way back, inning by inning. By the end of the third, Emo held a slim 28–25 advantage, with the momentum swinging towards Athenry.
A tense fourth inning left the scoreboard at 29–25 in Emo’s favour, and Athenry knew it was all or nothing. They responded with nine runs in the fifth, only for Emo to tie it at 34–34, forcing extra innings in the blistering 20-degree heat.
With everything on the line, Athenry dug deep. After scoring two in the first extra inning and holding Emo scoreless, they added five more runs in the final stretch. The Galway girls showed nerves of steel in the field, restricting Emo to just three runs to secure a 41–37 victory and retain their crown.
The winning moment came in dramatic style, as Izzy Gannon pulled off a superb on-the-ground catch to close out the game. The decisive play sealed Athenry’s triumph and earned her the title of Player of the Match, a fitting finish to an extraordinary team performance.
This victory cements Athenry’s reputation as one of the powerhouse clubs of Irish Rounders, once again bringing the All-Ireland trophy back to Galway.
