McGuinness on the double as Saffrons celebrate

Northern Ireland soccer international Kirsty McGuinness bagged two goals as Antrim were crowned All-Ireland JFC champions against Louth at Croke Park yesterday.

McGuinness netted a first half penalty and added her side’s third goal in the final minute as the Saffrons cruised to an 11-point victory.

At half-time, Antrim led by 2-3 to 0-2 and the goals came as real sucker punches to an off-colour Louth, who registered their first score of the game in the 22nd minute.

Scorers for Antrim: K McGuinness 2-0, A Finnegan 1-1, C Timoney 0-4f, M McCurdy 0-2, C Mullan, M Cooper 0-1 each.

Scorers for Louth: M O’Connell, G Lynch, S Lynch, A.M. Murphy (f), K Flood, J McGuinness, S Byrne 0-1 each.

ANTRIM: C McCoy; B Scullion, E Kelly, S Haughey; C McHugh, N Kelly, A Tubridy; C Mullan, G McGinley; C Carey, K McGuinness, C Timoney; A McAtamney, A Finnegan, M Cooper.

Subs: M McCurdy for McAtamney (ht), N Cooper for Scullion (50), D McAteer for McHugh (56), R Fulton for Finnegan (57).

LOUTH: U Pearson; AM Lynch, A Carney, A McGee; M McMahon, M O’Connell, P Marmion; G Lynch, S Lynch; L Kelly, AM Murphy, C O’Connor, C O’Connor; R Heeney, K Flood, J McGuinness.

Subs: K Cunningham for McGuinness (15), J McGuinness for Cunningham (23), V McGinn for Marmion (ht), S Byrne for Flood (40), E Conlon for McGuinness (54).

Referee: S Regan (Roscommon).