CAPTAINS from the six competing teams, including Armagh and Tyrone, have gathered at Croke Park ahead of next Saturday’s 2024 ZuCar All-Ireland U-18 Championship Finals.
With the countdown well underway to what promises to be three cracking games, the respective team captains Ellie Brady (Cavan), Éabha Ní Laighin (Kerry), Ciara Walsh (Sligo), Sorcha Gormley (Tyrone), Erin Murphy (Armagh) and Lia Ní Arta (Waterford) visited Croke Park for a pre-Finals photocall.
In the 2024 ZuCar All-Ireland U-18 Finals, Cavan take on Kerry at Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore, in the A showpiece, with Sligo pitted against Tyrone in the B decider at Brewster Park, Enniskillen.
The C Final will see Armagh up against Waterford at Coralstown/Kinnegad GAA, Westmeath, and all three games will get underway at 2pm.
The A Final features Cavan, appearing in their first decider in this competition since 1980, and Kerry, the 2023 B Championship winners.
Next Saturday will mark just a second All-Ireland U-18 Final appearance for Cavan, who lost out to Kerry 44 years ago, while the Kingdom are preparing for their fourth A Final.
Kerry can boast a 100 per cent record in A Finals, having won in 1995, 1981 and 1980, and they’ll be eager to continue that record.
They will, however, face stiff opposition from Cavan, who have won the last two All-Ireland U-16 A titles and the Breffni County is showing very promising signs at underage level.
The B Final features Sligo, runners-up last year, and Tyrone, who on Saturday will appear in their very first All-Ireland U-18 B Final.
Sligo are back aiming to go one step better in this grade, having lost out by just a goal to Kerry in the 2023 B decider.
They will, however, face stiff opposition from Tyrone, who contested A Finals in 2012, 2008, 2001 and 2000, with the Red Hands victorious in 2000.
And the C Final features Armagh, back in an All-Ireland U-18 Final for the first time since contesting the 2015 B Final, and Waterford, who were C runners up last year.
Next Saturday will mark Armagh’s third time appearing in an All-Ireland U-18 Final. The Orchard County lost the 2015 B Final but they did win that competition in 2011.
Waterford were A Finalists on seven occasions (winning in 2001, 1997, 1996, 1993 and 1991), while the Déise also won a B Shield title in 2009.
The ZuCar All-Ireland U-18 A Final will be streamed live on the Spórt TG4 YouTube Page, https://www.youtube.com/@SportTG4/streams while the B and C Finals will be available to view on the LGFA Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/LadiesGaelicFootball/ and YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@LadiesFootballTV/streams.
Looking ahead to the games, Ladies Gaelic Football Association President, Mícheál Naughton, commented: “I’m looking forward to three terrific games. The six teams contesting the Finals are very much here on merit, and I wish each and every one of them the very best of luck.
“We are also in the very fortunate position to have wonderful competition sponsors in ZuCar, who are also our Gaelic4Teens programme sponsors, and official Performance Partner of the LGFA.
“Since coming on board with us in 2021, ZuCar have been terrific and pro-active partners, and we thank them most sincerely for their support and also their keen interest in Ladies Gaelic Football.”
Speaking on behalf of ZuCar, Chief Executive Gavin Hydes commented: “As the Ladies Gaelic Football Association’s Official Performance Partner, and sponsor of the ZuCar Gaelic4Teens programme, we are also very proud sponsors of the ZuCar All-Ireland U-18 Championships, which culminate for 2024 with Finals in the A, B and C grades.
“Congratulations to all six teams on reaching their respective Finals. This is a phenomenal achievement that takes a lot of hard work, commitment, dedication, and the support of every player’s family. I am sure the accomplishment of playing in the Final will be an experience that every player and their families will cherish for a lifetime.
“ZuCar is part of the Joe Duffy Group and shares many values and beliefs with the LGFA, including passion, continuous improvement, and dedication to excellence. We believe that Gaelic Games is at the heart of every Irish community and our support of the LGFA is central to the Group’s corporate responsibility programme.”
Saturday July 27th, 2024
2024 ZuCar All-Ireland U18 Championship Finals
A – Cavan v Kerry; Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore, 2pm – Live on Spórt TG4 YouTube
B – Sligo v Tyrone; Brewster Park, Enniskillen, 2pm – Live on LGFA Facebook and YouTube
C – Armagh v Waterford, Coralstown/Kinnegad GAA, Westmeath, 2pm – Live on LGFA Facebook and YouTube
Tyrone’s Sorcha Gormley
