Liatroim Ladies clinch Championship

1 October 2025

ANNACLONE played host to the Down LGFA Junior B Championship final on Sunday, where Liatroim and Clann na Banna met in a bid to finish their campaigns with silverware. Both sides entered the decider having fallen short in the Junior A semi-finals, but it was Liatroim who took their chances when it mattered most.

Liatroim made a blistering start, with corner-forward Maria Gribben opening the scoring, before county minor star Orla Owens added a second.

Gribben split the posts again to give her side early momentum, while Owens struck for the game’s first goal with a composed finish in the 11th minute, pushing Liatroim into a 1-3 to 0-0 lead.

Clann na Banna responded with a pointed free, but Owens quickly replied with another score from play.

Two further points from Gribben, one from a free and one from open play, kept the pressure on, before Owens bagged her second goal on 20 minutes, with another clinical effort.

Banna added one more free before the break, but Liatroim went into the interval well on top, leading 2-6 to 0-3.

The Clann almost found a way back into the contest after the restart, but Liatroim goalkeeper Elaine O’Hare produced a top-class, point-blank save to deny a certain goal. Inspired by that moment, Banna added two points from play, taking advantage of Liatroim registering three wides.

Owens steadied her side with a point in the 43rd minute, only for the Banbridge side to hit back with another two scores, narrowing the deficit to six.

Owens, however, continued to lead the line for Liatroim, converting two excellent frees to restore control.

Clann na Banna added a final point from a free after 56 minutes, but it was not enough to alter the outcome, as Liatroim closed out a deserved 2-9 to 0-8 victory.

The runners-up were well served by county minor star Mychaela McEvoy, county U-16 talent Annie McEvoy and midfielder Emer Scullion, who delivered a player of the match performance in the middle third.

However, despite their efforts, the Fontenoys’ defensive organisation ensured they were always in control, with early scores from Gribben, the finishing power of Owens and a crucial save from O’Hare sealing a memorable victory.

Liatroim manager Peter Kearney hailed the effort and togetherness of his players after the win, saying: “I couldn’t be any prouder of this group of girls. For the club to only be in it’s second year of existence as a senior team and already following up last year’s Junior C Championship success with an unbeaten Division 4 campaign, and now a Junior B title, is fantastic for us.

“We were extremely disappointed after the Junior A semi-final defeat to Mayobridge. It was an unbelievably bitter pill to swallow, but the way the girls responded in training these past few weeks, and again out on the pitch today, has been admirable.

“They train unbelievably hard, they have an exceptional bond, and they fully deserve this success,” he added.

“This is a fantastic day for the club, and I hope they enjoy every minute of it, but we’ll also be aiming to push on again next year and continue building on the great foundations that have been laid.”

Liatroim 2-9

Clann na Banna 0-8

DOWN LGFA JUNIOR B CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

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