ALL-IRELAND champions Antrim  lead the way in the 2022 TG4 Team of the Junior Championship.

Along with the intermediate team, they are set to receive their awards at a Croke Park function on Friday November 4.

Laois were crowned TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate champions on July 31, following victory in the Final over fellow Leinster outfit, Wexford.

There was also a provincial ‘derby’ in the Junior decider, as Ulster rivals Antrim and Fermanagh battled it out for the West County Hotel Cup.

The silverware eventually went to Antrim, following a replay on August 13 at Armagh’s Athletic Grounds.

Antrim are represented by goalkeeper Anna McCann, Aislinn McFarland, Niamh McIntosh, Saoirse Tennyson, Sarah O’Neill, Lara Dahunsi, who was player of the match in the drawn Final, captain Cathy Carey, who was player of the match in the replay against Fermanagh, and Orlaith Prenter.

Fermanagh’s exploits in reaching the Final are rewarded by the inclusion of Sarah McCarville, Aisling O’Brien, Bláithín Bogue and Junior Championship top scorer Eimear Smyth in the Team of the Championship, while there are also slots for Carlow forwards Rachel Sawyer and Sara Doyle.

STAR QUALITY…Blaithin Bogue has been named in the team

Limerick, who were also beaten semi-finalists along with Carlow, have corner back Kristine Reidy selected in the team.

“The TG4 All-Ireland Junior and Intermediate Championships produced some outstanding football this year,” commented Ladies Gaelic Football Association President, Mícheál Naughton.

“We felt that it was only right and fitting to honour the contributions of Junior and Intermediate Championship players by naming Teams of the Championship in these grades.

“We did so in 2020 and the announcement of the Teams of the Championship revives memories of memorable summer fixtures.

“Across the board, we witnessed stunning saves, spectacular points, clinically taken goals, tight defending, high fielding around the middle of the field and the very best that our sport has to offer.

“Our Junior Final at Croke Park on July 31 was a thriller, before Antrim won the replay, while Laois were pushed all the way by a gallant Wexford outfit in the Intermediate Final.

“The standard of football was superb, however, right from the very start of the All-Ireland series in both competitions, and I wish to compliment the players who ensured that many of the fixtures that were played will be talked about long into the future.

“To launch the 2022 TG4 All-Ireland Championships, we were delighted to announce a five-year extension of our partnership.

“Our new deal with TG4 will last until the conclusion of the 2027 season and I wish to put on the record my sincere thanks to TG4 Director General, Alan Esslemont, Head of Sport, Rónán Ó Coisdealbha, and the entire TG4 team for their outstanding commitment to our sport.”

It has also been confirmed that the 2022 TG4 All Star banquet will be held at Dublin’s Bonnington Hotel on Saturday, November 19.

The list of 45 nominees will be revealed next week.

TG4 Junior Team of the Championship

Anna McCann – Antrim
Kristine Reidy – Limerick
Aislinn McFarland – Antrim
Niamh McIntosh – Antrim
Sarah McCarville – Fermanagh
Saoirse Tennyson – Antrim
Sarah O’Neill – Antrim
Lara Dahunsi – Antrim
Aisling O’Brien – Fermanagh
Cathy Carey – Antrim
Bláithín Bogue – Fermanagh
Rachel Sawyer – Carlow
Sara Doyle – Carlow
Orlaith Prenter – Antrim
Eimear Smyth – Fermanagh

TG4 Intermediate Team of the Championship

Eimear Barry – Laois
Sarah Harding Kenny – Wexford
Aisling Donoher – Laois
Tara Kelly – Clare
Rachel Williams – Laois
Róisín Murphy – Wexford
Ellen Healy – Laois
Aisling Reidy – Clare
Laura Fleming – Roscommon
Caitríona Murray – Wexford
Laura-Marie Maher – Laois
Erone Fitzpatrick – Laois
Mo Nerney – Laois
Aisling Murphy – Wexford
Fidelma Marrinan – Clare