Antrim and in particular Dervla Cosgrove, went goal crazy to mark their first season in existence as the county’s second team by winning the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Premier Junior title by 5-5 to 0-14 over Armagh at Croke Park.
Cosgrove finished with 4-2 and three goals in 84 seconds in the second quarter stunned Armagh, the champions of 2020 who were also runners-up last year.
None of it would have been possible but for Megan McGarry’s pointed free in the second half of the second period of extra time as they clawed their way over the line in a marathon semi-final against Clare.
The Loughgiel Shamrocks totem, who was a pivotal figure in this game too, was incredulous at what had been achieved, particularly as Armagh had been a bogey team in their short life
“It’s unreal,” said McGarry, wiping away the detritus of joy-induced tears.
“I don’t think I can believe it. It’s just unreal. I was a bit emotional there. First time playing in Croke Park for all of us girls, it was just unreal to finally get the win against Armagh.
“It’s brilliant and so special and to see everybody here, all that support. It’s amazing to see so many here.
“People thought we’d no chance at the start of the year and they even thought it yesterday in the newspapers but we proved them wrong.”
And all down to McGarry at Bord na Móna O’Connor Park 15 days previously.
“That was great,” comes the instinctive reaction. “It was crucial, wasn’t it? That was some game and some day but this is the ultimate. Unbelievable.”
