Champions well represented on 2026 Teams of the TG4 All-Ireland Junior and Intermediate Championships

CHAMPIONS Antrim and Roscommon are well represented on the 2026 Teams of the TG4 All-Ireland Junior and Intermediate Championships.

These selections honour outstanding individual displays throughout the 2026 TG4 All-Ireland Championships in the Junior and Intermediate grades.

Roscommon were crowned TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Champions on August 2, following victory in the final over Fermanagh, while the Junior silverware went to Antrim earlier in the day, as the Saffrons saw off the challenge of Carlow.

The Teams of the Championships have now been selected by members of the LGFA’s All-Star committee – with Roscommon claiming six slots on the Intermediate team, while Antrim have six players on the Junior selection.

The six Roscommon winners are goalkeeper and TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate championship winning captain, Helena Cummins, defenders Aine Connaughton, Saoirse Wynne (Player of the Match in the TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Final) and Ella Thompson, midfielder Abby Curran and key forward Aisling Feely.

Runners-up Fermanagh have four players named on the TG4 Intermediate Team of the Championship, namely captain Shannan McQuade and Cadhla-Cara Bogue in defence, along with attacking pair Niamh McManus and Eimear Smyth.

Beaten semi-finalists Westmeath and Down have also been acknowledged on the Team of the Championship.

Westmeath, who lost out to Roscommon in the last four, have a trio of players included. Anna Jones gets the nod at midfield, with forwards Lucy McCartan and Sarah Dillon also named on the team.

Down defender Erin Sands and free-scoring attacker Eimear Fitzpatrick are the Mourne County representatives, who bowed out at the semi-final stage against Fermanagh.

On the TG4 Junior Team of the Championship, winners Antrim are represented by defenders Maeve Blaney, Maeve Mulholland and Carla McKenna, midfielder and TG4 All-Ireland final player of match, Lara Dahunsi, and forwards Theresa Mellon and Maria O’Neill, the ZuCar Golden Boot award winner as the leading scorer in the 2026 TG4 All-Ireland Championships.

Runners-up Carlow have seven players on the TG4 Junior Team of the Championship.

After reaching a very first final, Carlow’s exploits are rewarded with the inclusion of goalkeeper Nicole Hanley, defenders Ruth Bermingham and Niamh Forde, captain and midfielder Róisín Bailey, and forward trio Clíodhna Ní Shé, Sara Doyle and Aibha Kiernan.

Semi-finalists Sligo and Derry have one player each on the Team of the Championship.

Sligo defender Claire Dunne is listed in the full-back line, with Derry’s Annie Ní Lochlainn named in attack.

Ladies Gaelic Football Association President, Trina Murray, commented: “The 2026 TG4 All-Ireland Junior and Intermediate Championships delivered brilliant football and unforgettable drama.

“The Championships concluded with our finals at Croke Park on Sunday August 2, where the honours went to Antrim in the Junior grade, and Roscommon at Intermediate level.

“Antrim’s win was one for the history books – a last-gasp winning point sealed a record-equalling fourth Junior title for the Saffrons, and sweet redemption after they’d fallen just short against Louth twelve months earlier. For Roscommon, it was a truly special occasion: their first return to Croke Park since 2001, and their first Intermediate crown since 2005, secured with a commanding display against Fermanagh.

“Antrim will now step up to the Intermediate Championship ranks for 2027, while Roscommon will operate at Senior level.

“Well done to both of our champions, and I also wish to acknowledge the outstanding efforts and contributions of all teams who competed in the 2026 Championships.

“A special word of thanks, also, to TG4 for their continued and outstanding commitment to our sport.

“I also wish to acknowledge TG4, our championship sponsors and official broadcast partner. TG4 have been with us for a quarter of a century now and we were delighted to announce an extension of our partnership this year that will bring us up to 2032.

“Our appreciation, as always, goes to TG4 Director General, Deirdre Ní Choistín, Head of Sport, Rónán Ó Coisdealbha, and the entire TG4 team for their outstanding commitment to our sport.

“On linear TV and across their various social media channels, TG4 worked incredibly hard to ensure that Ladies Gaelic Football was front and centre throughout the summer months. It was a wonderful season of coverage.”

Deirdre Ní Choistín, Ard-Stiúrthóir TG4, added: “Comhghairdeas ó chroí leis na himreoirí ar fad ón gCraobh Sóisearach agus ón gCraobh Idirmheánach a ainmníodh inniu. Is iad Aontroim, Ceatharlach, Ros Comáin agus Fear Manach a bhain Páirc an Chrócaigh amach do Chluichí Ceannais na hÉireann. Ní fhéadfaidh ach buaiteoir amháin a bheith i ngach ceann dár gCluichí Ceannais agus is iad Aontroim ag an leibhéal sóisearach agus Ros Comáin sa ghrád Idirmheánach a thug leo an bua.

“TG4 is immensely proud to celebrate 25 years of our longstanding partnership with the LGFA in 2026. Over the past quarter of a century, we have been privileged to play a part in bringing Ladies Gaelic Football to audiences across Ireland and beyond, and in supporting the continued growth and visibility of the game. As we celebrate the 2026 TG4 Teams of the Championship, we recognise the exceptional achievements of the players and reaffirm our commitment to showcasing and promoting this wonderful sport. Having extended our partnership with the LGFA until 2032, we look forward with great excitement to continuing this journey together and to celebrating many more memorable years of Ladies Gaelic Football.”

 

The winners will receive their awards at a Croke Park function on Friday October 9.

 

TG4 Junior Team of the Championship

1. Nicole Hanley (Carlow)
2. Claire Dunne (Sligo)
3. Maeve Blaney (Antrim)
4. Maeve Mulholland (Antrim)
5. Ruth Bermingham (Carlow)
6. Niamh Forde (Carlow)
7. Carla McKenna (Antrim)
8. Lara Dahunsi (Antrim)
9. Róisín Bailey (Carlow)
10. Theresa Mellon (Antrim)
11. Clíodhna Ní Shé (Carlow)
12. Annie Ní Lochlainn (Derry)
13. Sara Doyle (Carlow)
14. Maria O’Neill (Antrim)
15. Aibha Kiernan (Carlow)

 

Carlow – 7

Antrim – 6

Sligo – 1

Derry – 1

 

TG4 Intermediate Team of the Championship

 

 

1. Helena Cummins (Roscommon)
2. Erin Sands (Down)
3. Aine Connaughton (Roscommon)
4. Shannan McQuade (Fermanagh)
5. Cadhla-Cara Bogue (Fermanagh)
6. Saoirse Wynne (Roscommon)
7. Ella Thompson (Roscommon)
8. Anna Jones (Westmeath)
9. Abby Curran (Roscommon)
10. Lucy McCartan (Westmeath)
11. Niamh McManus (Fermanagh)
12. Aisling Feely (Roscommon)
13. Sarah Dillon (Westmeath)
14. Eimear Smyth (Fermanagh)
15. Eimear Fitzpatrick (Down)

 

Roscommon – 6

Fermanagh – 4

Westmeath – 3

Down – 2