Captains gather at Croke Park ahead of 2024 ZuCar All-Ireland U-18 Championship Finals

Captains from the six competing teams have gathered at Croke Park ahead of next Saturday’s 2024 ZuCar All-Ireland U-18 Championship Finals. As the countdown begins for what promises to be three thrilling games, team captains Ellie Brady (Cavan), Éabha Ní Laighin (Kerry), Ciara Walsh (Sligo), Sorcha Gormley (Tyrone), Erin Murphy (Armagh), and Lia Ní Arta (Waterford) visited Croke Park for a pre-Finals photocall.

In the 2024 ZuCar All-Ireland U-18 Finals, Cavan will face Kerry at Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore, in the A showpiece, while Sligo will take on Tyrone in the B decider at Brewster Park, Enniskillen.

The C Final will see Armagh go up against Waterford at Coralstown/Kinnegad GAA, Westmeath. All three games are set to start at 2 pm.

The A Final highlights Cavan’s first appearance in this competition’s decider since 1980, against Kerry, the 2023 B Championship winners.

Next Saturday will mark only Cavan’s second appearance in an All-Ireland U-18 Final, with their previous visit 44 years ago ending in defeat to Kerry. The Kingdom, meanwhile, is preparing for their fourth A Final, having previously won in 1980, 1981, and 1995, and they’ll be eager to maintain their perfect record.

Cavan, however, poses a strong challenge. They have secured the last two All-Ireland U-16 A titles and are showing impressive promise at the underage level.

In the B Final, Sligo, who were runners-up last year, will face Tyrone, who are making their debut in an All-Ireland U-18 B Final. Sligo is determined to improve upon their narrow defeat to Kerry in the 2023 B decider. Tyrone, with previous experience in A Finals from 2000, 2001, 2008, and 2012, will be a formidable opponent.

The C Final features Armagh, returning to an All-Ireland U-18 Final for the first time since the 2015 B Final, and Waterford, who were C runners-up last year. Armagh is making their third appearance in an All-Ireland U-18 Final, having lost the 2015 B Final but winning the competition in 2011. Waterford has a strong history with seven A Final appearances (winning in 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 2001) and a B Shield title in 2009.

The ZuCar All-Ireland U-18 A Final will be streamed live on the Spórt TG4 YouTube Page, while the B and C Finals will be available to view on the LGFA Facebook Page, and YouTube Channel

Ladies Gaelic Football Association President Mícheál Naughton

Looking ahead to the games, Ladies Gaelic Football Association President, Mícheál Naughton, commented: “I’m looking forward to three terrific games. The six teams contesting the Finals are very much here on merit, and I wish each and every one of them the very best of luck.

“We are also in the very fortunate position to have wonderful competition sponsors in ZuCar, who are also our Gaelic4Teens programme sponsors, and official Performance Partner of the LGFA.

“Since coming on board with us in 2021, ZuCar have been terrific and pro-active partners, and we thank them most sincerely for their support and also their keen interest in Ladies Gaelic Football.”

ZuCar Chief Executive Mr. Gavin Hydes

Speaking on behalf of ZuCar, Chief Executive Mr. Gavin Hydes commented: “As the Ladies Gaelic Football Association’s Official Performance Partner, and sponsor of the ZuCar Gaelic4Teens programme, we are also very proud sponsors of the ZuCar All-Ireland U-18 Championships, which culminate for 2024 with Finals in the A, B and C grades.

“Congratulations to all six teams on reaching their respective Finals. This is a phenomenal achievement that takes a lot of hard work, commitment, dedication, and the support of every player's family. I am sure the accomplishment of playing in the Final will be an experience that every player and their families will cherish for a lifetime.

“ZuCar is part of the Joe Duffy Group and shares many values and beliefs with the LGFA, including passion, continuous improvement, and dedication to excellence. We believe that Gaelic Games is at the heart of every Irish community and our support of the LGFA is central to the Group's corporate responsibility programme.”