WOMEN'S JFC FINAL Antrim 3-10 Limerick 2-8:TWO GOALS by Mairead Cooper proved decisive as Antrim were crowned All-Ireland junior champions at Croke Park yesterday.

Claire Timoney was Antrim’s star turn in the first half, collecting 1-3 as the winners established a 2-6 to 1-4 interval lead.

Louise Higgins bagged a goal in the 35th minute to haul Limerick back into contention and, with six minutes remaining, Leanne Higgins brought Limerick to within two points, 2-10 to 2-8.

However, Cooper raced clear three minutes later to net her second goal and put daylight between the teams again. And she was denied a hat-trick in the final minute when she struck the bar.

ANTRIM: C McCoy; Eimear Kelly (St Ergnat's, Moneyglass), B Scullion, G Campbell; N Kelly, C Mullan, D McAteer; G McCann, M McCann; Eimear Kelly (Creggan Kickhams), S Daykin, M Cooper (2-1); C Kelly (0-2, one free), C Timoney (1-5, 0-2 frees), B McClenaghan. Subs: E Gallagher (0-2, one free) for E Kelly (Creggan Kickhams) (half-time), C Carey for Daykin (46 mins), A McElroy for Cooper (60 mins).

LIMERICK: E O'Shaughnessy; M O'Brien, S Healy, T Power; E McGuire, H Fogarty, S Larkin; P Donnelly, Y Moynihan (0-1), T Mulcaire (0-1); K Campbell (0-1), Louise Higgins (1-0), D O'Brien (1-4, one free). Subs: E Enright for Larkin (20 mins), N Richardson for Moloney (half-time), Leanne Higgins (0-1) for Power (40 mins), MI Casey for Garvey (50 mins).

Referee: T Lennon (Dublin).