IT WAS A KATE WAY TO SAY GOODBYE...

MUCH LIKE Dublin's Hannah Tyrrell in the senior decider on the same day, Louth stalwart Kate Flood was afforded the perfect inter-county swansong at Croke Park on August 3.

- By DAIRE WALSH

A previous winner of the competition in 2015 and 2019, Flood was hoping to claim another TG4 All-Ireland JFC crown at GAA HQ and make amends for the 2024 final defeat to Fermanagh.

Their opponents Antrim provided a stubborn test but Louth ultimately got their hands on the West County Hotel Cup for a record fourth time with a 0-13 to 1-8 triumph.

In the direct aftermath of a contest that saw her contributing four fine points from play, Flood announced her retirement from inter-county football - something the aforementioned Tyrrell also did in the wake of Dublin overcoming Meath in the All-Ireland SFC showpiece.

While each of her junior victories with the Wee County have been special, Flood acknowledged the circumstances surrounding this year's success made it particularly memorable.