Emma Kelly, who guided Antrim to provincial and All-Ireland success in recent season, has stepped down as the county’s Saffrons’ ladies’ football manager after a difficult 2024.
The St Paul’s clubwoman, a native of Desertmartin whose 22-year inter-county career saw her play 13 years with Derry before another nine with the Saffrons, took over as Antrim manager on the eve of the 2021 season after the departure of Dee McConville, and led them to an Ulster junior final win over the Oak Leafers that year. They also reached the All-Ireland final where they lost to Wicklow.
Antrim went on to unprecedented success under Kelly, winning the Ulster and All-Ireland titles the following season before achieving promotion from Division Four of the National League in 2023 and winning the Ulster intermediate crown.
However, Antrim went into 2024 missing a host of players for various reasons – Kelly herself was forced to step into goals for a league match against Sligo – and relegation from Division Three was followed by the loss of their intermediate championship status with a play-off defeat to Wicklow.
Kelly described her time in charge as “an honour and privilege”.
“I am proud to say we did win a lot of silverware and gave the county a lot of big days out over that time. Bringing pride, belief and expectation to the Antrim jersey. We made people sit up and take notice of our county,” she added in a statement, while thanking players, backroom members, clubs and supporters.
“Unfortunately, this year was a transitional year and we had a lot of challenges both on and off the field but to be fair we didn’t look out of place up in Division Three. We were close in a few games but ‘close’ doesn’t win games.
“I would like to thank every single girl who was involved over the four years, without you none of the success and memories would have been possible. Thank you also to their clubs for developing them into such good players and for working with us and supporting the girls when needed.
“I wish Antrim all the best in the future, no doubt with the talent available the silverware will not be long in returning and the Saffs will rise again. Thanks for the memories.”
