For the third year in succession, the All-Ireland Ladies Junior title has gone to the beaten finalists from the previous year.
Antrim ended a 10-year wait for an All-Ireland crown at the grade by powering past Fermanagh by 13-points at a sun-kissed Athletic Grounds in Saturday evening’s replay.
The Erne County won the title back in 2020 after losing out to Louth in the decider in 2019.
Read more: Antrim vs Fermanagh RECAP as the Saffrons clinch All-Ireland Ladies title
Wicklow lost to Fermanagh in 2020, but went one better by beating Antrim in Croke Park.
The Saffrons have repeated that feat by securing their first All-Ireland title since 2012 and manager Emma Kelly, who played in the 2012 win over Louth, said the thought of losing another decider helped spur her side to victory.
“I think the hurt - even of two weeks ago when they felt like they had lost - gave the want and will to push on.” said Kelly.
“Fermanagh lost a lot of their girls, especially the Kinawley girls, so they are rebuilding and will be back next year and we will meet them in Division Four next year.
“Fifth time lucky we get over the line and get the trophy up the road.
“You want to get out of Division Four and play the better teams, same as Intermediate, and it helps you get stronger and develop. You don't want to be a yo-yo team - you want to step up, complete and get better.
“We knew Down and Sligo in Junior will make it hard to get out next year so we got our goal this year.”
In the drawn encounter at Croke Park a fortnight ago, Antrim needed a last-gasp free from Orlaith Prenter to secure a replay after the sides finished with 1-13 apiece.
On Saturday, they had much too much firepower for Fermanagh as first half goals from Lara Dahunsi and captain Cathy Cathy (penalty) gave the Saffrons a five-point cushion at the break.
The game had already slipped beyond Fermanagh’s reach by the time Cathy rifled in her second major of the day following a delightful pass from Bronach Devlin.
The anticipated fightback from the Erne County never materialised as Antrim ran out comfortable winners.
“With six minutes to go, Kyla (Trainor, Antrim assistant manager) was saying to get the subs on but I was saying no as goals can come fast in ladies football and with Eimear Smyth and Bláithín Bogue, you just don't know,” added Kelly.
“When we got another few scores on the board, we knew there was no way back for them.
“It's great for the likes of Cathy(Carey) and 'Tubs' (Aine Tubridy) who are the only two who played 10 years ago with me.”
The Antrim boss insists her side won’t be resting on their laurels for long as their thought quickly turn to next year’s targets.
“Division Four will be our target now - girls are looking breaks, but trials start in November and that's it.” stated the All-Ireland-winning manager.
“We have good minors stepping out now and they will be looking to push on to senior so next year's squad could be completely different.
“That's a good thing as it pushes the rest and makes the whole team better.
“As I said after the last day, we were going home to do shooting and we did that.
“It paid off, but it's just great to see the crowd there loving it and hopefully will inspire more to come up.”
Fermanagh manager James Daly, meanwhile, insists he was baffled by the decision to award Antrim a penalty in the first half.
After midfielder Dahunsi has plundered a fortuitous opening goal for Antrim, Roisin Gleeson make a save to deny Maria O’Neill from point-blank range.
However, the ball hit the Fermanagh ’keeper in the face, resulting in a stoppage for treatment.
When Gleeson got to her feet, she was quickly into action again as referee Lorraine O’Sullivan awarded Antrim a penalty for an infringement after Gleeson had made the save.
However, Daly is adamant that the penalty shouldn’t have been given.
“I had my own people watching it live. I messaged them at half-time and they said it was no penalty,” stated Daly.
“We thought it was a free out because Eimear Keenan was fouled but the next thing she (the referee) is standing on the 14 metre line with her arms out. We were shocked.
“We went in at half-time five points down and that was basically the two goals. We always felt we were in the game, but we needed more.
“We needed to look after the ball more, and look after the football better. And we didn’t look after the football at all. And that’s usually a strong part of this team, where we work in pods and work in groups working the ball up the field.
“But we lost the run of ourselves a wee bit. It was a hot day and it was unusually warm. But my girls battled to the very end and I am nothing but proud of them.”
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