Antrim claimed the All-Ireland Intermediate camogie title on Sunday, 9 August 2026, defeating Laois 1-22 to 0-11 at Croke Park to secure their first triumph in this grade since 2021. Roisin McCormick was the standout performer with 1-11, including a decisive 40th-minute goal that put the contest beyond Laois's reach. Elaine Dowds' side led from start to finish, confirming their promotion back to the Senior grade for the 2027 season.
Laois, who had won the Junior title the previous year, were level or within touching distance for much of the first half, but Antrim's second-half surge proved unanswerable. According to a national sports broadcaster's report, Antrim converted 13 of their 16 shot attempts from the 34th minute onward, a statistic that underlines just how one-sided the closing stages became.
How did Antrim pull away from Laois?
Antrim opened brightly through early points from Lucia McNaughton and Eobha McAllister, though both narrowly missed the chance to extend the gap further. Laois responded through Grainne Delaney and a long-range free from Clodagh Tynan to level matters, but Antrim regained their fluency as McCormick struck four points in succession, one of them from open play.
Laois had a goal chance of their own when Catherine Kirby was played through, but she failed to find the net, and McAllister answered immediately at the other end for Antrim. McCormick added a fifth point before the break, and although Aimee Collier cut the deficit to three for Laois, Meave Kelly's score sent Antrim in at half-time leading 0-9 to 0-5.
Tynan and Collier both landed frees after the restart to bring Laois back within striking distance, but Antrim then reeled off four unanswered points, with Janey McIntosh and Shannagh Hegarty also getting on the scoresheet. The gap stretched to nine points when McCormick weaved past several defenders to finish clinically to the net, effectively ending the contest. Kaylee O'Keefe replied for Laois, but Antrim outscored their opponents eight points to three over the closing stretch as McAllister, Kelly and McCormick continued to add scores, sealing the Jack McGrath Cup for the first time in five years.
What does this result mean for Antrim's season?
The victory capped a successful month for the Saffron county, who had already lifted the All-Ireland Junior Football title at Croke Park earlier in August. Their camogie success also follows an outstanding year on the provincial stage: Antrim retained the Ulster Senior Camogie Championship in 2026 with a 2-11 to 0-11 win over Down, according to the official camogie association, extending their run to three consecutive provincial titles — a feat the county had not managed since the 1970s.
Antrim's return to Intermediate glory also comes after a single season outside the Glen Dimplex Senior Championship, meaning their promotion restores them to the top flight for 2027 rather than marking a longer rebuild. Laois, for their part, had been attempting to become back-to-back All-Ireland champions after winning the Junior title in 2025, but fell short against a considerably stronger Antrim side.
How did Armagh get past Cavan in the Junior final?
In the day's opening game at Croke Park, Armagh were crowned Premier Junior champions with a 0-17 to 0-15 win over Cavan in an all-Ulster decider. The Orchard County, chasing their first title in the grade since 2020, had lost three finals in the intervening years, including in 2025, before finally getting over the line under manager PJ O'Mullan.
Rachael Trainor top-scored for Armagh with six points, and her side held a narrow advantage after ten minutes despite a spirited Cavan response led by Róisin O'Keefe. Armagh carried a one-point lead into the interval and pushed their advantage out to five points early in the second half. Cavan continued to compete until the final whistle but could never quite close the gap, allowing Armagh to see out a hard-fought win.
What comes next for both counties?
Antrim's win confirms their place in the 2027 Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, ending their brief spell in the Intermediate ranks. The 2026 Intermediate campaign itself had run through a series of group-stage fixtures on 24 May, 6 June and 20-21 June, according to the Gaelic Athletic Association, before culminating in Sunday's final. Coverage of the finals day, including both the Intermediate and Premier Junior deciders, began at 11.45am on national television and streaming services, as previously confirmed by broadcasters ahead of the weekend.
Antrim's success in camogie this year also sits alongside a broader run of Ulster achievement across Gaelic games in 2026, with Ulster county rivalries and Armagh's own football campaign — including a heavy defeat to Kerry in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship round three — forming part of a busy year for both counties across codes.
Key Facts
- Antrim beat Laois 1-22 to 0-11 to win the All-Ireland Intermediate camogie title on 9 August 2026, their first since 2021.
- Roisin McCormick scored 1-11, including a match-defining 40th-minute goal.
- Antrim converted 13 of 16 shot attempts from the 34th minute onward, according to a national broadcaster's match report.
- Antrim also retained the Ulster Senior title in 2026, beating Down 2-11 to 0-11 for a third straight provincial crown.
- Armagh defeated Cavan 0-17 to 0-15 to win the Premier Junior final, their first title in the grade since 2020.
