Mr Swainstons, based in South Shields and run by Sean Robinson and his fiancé, John Gray, will feature on the BBC show on Thursday, August 20, at 8pm, where they will pitch their traditional sweet emporium to the Dragons.

The idea for the business began during a New Year’s Day visit to Beamish Museum back in 2024, which quickly turned into a personal project for the pair to create a sweet shop that had that same nostalgic feel.

Sean, John and staff. (Image: Mr Swainstons)

Mr Robinson said: “It’s all about the nostalgia – we tapped into something the elderly generation love and the younger generation find so interesting.

“We wanted to bring that feel back, playing on the history of the 1930s and 40s.”

The shop, styled with old-fashioned sweet jars, vintage scales, and staff dressed in flat caps and period attire, has attracted thousands of followers on social media.

The team regularly create fun social media content (Image: Mr Swainstons)

The pair regularly watch Dragons’ Den and The Apprentice on Thursday nights, and on a whim, decided to apply for the show.

Mr Robinson said: “We got a call six weeks later from the BBC saying they had seen our social media and they wanted us on, it was surreal.

“They told us we’d be the first sweet shop of our kind to appear on the show, especially having a brand based around nostalgia.”

The shop in South Shields (Image: Mr Swainstons)

Filming of the episode has already taken place, but the outcome remains under wraps.

Mr Robinson said: “We were definitely the most terrified of Deborah Meaden.

“The whole thing was just so surreal.

“I’m proud of John and I’m proud of myself – who knew a little boy from Peterlee would get this far.”

Though the pair had hoped to meet Sara Davies, the North East Dragon was said not to be present during filming.

Mr Robinson and Mr Gray began their business in a small unit and credit social media, particularly TikTok, for helping them grow their extensive audience and customer base.

Their appearance on Dragons’ Den marks another milestone in their journey, which began just over two years ago.

The episode will air at 8pm on Thursday, August 20, but viewers will have to tune in to find out whether the Dragons took a bite out of their nostalgic business pitch.

Middle-aged men will no longer be entitled to tests to help detect prostate cancer.

New guidance means men over 50 can no longer access blood tests which help to find the disease and GPs will have the power to decide who can take one.

Former Prime Minister Lord Cameron, who was treated for the disease after taking a test, said the move was a ‘backwards step’.

Until the most recent guidance, any man aged over 50 has had access to a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test through their GP and did not need to have symptoms.

But now doctors will make the final decision on whether or not a test is needed.

The change follows the Government’s decision not to roll out widespread prostate cancer screening and instead use more targeted testing for high-risk groups.

The new guidance was sent in a letter to health organisations on Thursday and was seen by The Daily Telegraph. 

It has been criticised by Prostate Cancer Research as a ‘shocking betrayal and backward step that will condemn thousands more men each year to a late and incurable diagnosis’. 

Jeremy Clarkson revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis in the latest season of Clarkson’s Farm

Several high-profile prostate cancer diagnoses in middle-aged men, including Sir Chris Hoy and Jeremy Clarkson have increased demands for PSA tests. 

David Cameron revealed that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year.

The decision to row back the testing was made by officials at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) without public consultation. 

The letter said: ‘The prostate cancer risk management programme guidance has been withdrawn.’ 

It continued: ‘A patient is worried about prostate cancer, then they can ask their GP about having a PSA test. 

‘As the health professional, the GP will consider the patient’s cancer risk to help with reaching a judgment on whether undertaking a PSA test is the right option for the patient, whilst clearly laying out to the patient the pros and cons associated with doing so.’ 

The letter also said that the latest guidance no longer considers men over 50 to be at high risk, because age is just one factor in assessing risk, despite the fact that the chance of disease rises with age. 

Lord Cameron told The Telegraph: ‘This is yet another step backwards and once again shows why we need simple, proper targeted screening for all at-risk men.

‘Screening is essential to catch cancers early, when they can be more effectively and successfully treated. Only due to testing, my cancer was caught and treated in time.

James May revealed his friend Jeremy Clarkson was ‘over the hurdle’ in his battle with ‘aggressive’ prostate cancer

‘I urge the new Prime Minister and Health Secretary to be brave and bold. Stop the complexity and confusion and introduce a more progressive and life-saving policy: a proper, targeted screening programme that involves all those at higher risk.

‘Without it, more men will die, and more families will lose a loved one. Heed the warnings, this is avoidable and can be done.’ 

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with around 63,000 diagnoses and 12,000 deaths annually. 

The Daily Mail has long campaigned for improved prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment to end needless deaths from the disease. 

Meanwhile, thousands of men suffering with prostate cancer are being denied access to a ‘quality of life-preserving’ treatment by the NHS.

Focal therapy, a non-invasive treatment which targets cancerous cells while avoiding damaging surrounding tissue, was introduced to the UK in 2006.

The treatment dramatically reduces the risk of incontinence and erectile dysfunction, side effects which can affect up to 20 per cent of men who undergo other forms of cancer treatment such as radiotherapy.

It is also much cheaper than other treatments, with patients usually in and out of hospital in a day and less likely to need follow-up care.

But it is still rarely available on the NHS despite around 15,000 men who could benefit.

While tens of thousands of men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, a mere 600 to 700 are thought to be offered the treatment, although it is widely available privately for an average £16,000.

Several high-profile prostate cancer diagnoses in middle-aged men, including Sir Chris Hoy and Jeremy Clarkson have increased demands for PSA tests

David Cameron paid to be privately treated with focal therapy after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The former Prime Minister was diagnosed after his wife Samantha urged him to get a PSA having listened to a radio interview on symptoms.

Focal therapy is just as effective as surgery, according to a study published by Imperial College London.

Top Gear and Mr Clarkson’s Farm fans were devastated to find out Mr Clarkson was diagnosed with the cancer this summer. 

The Grand Tour star revealed on his TV show Mr Clarkson’s Farm in June that he had been diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ prostate cancer in May last year but it was caught early, and he has since shared he’s in remission. 

Mr Clarkson secretly underwent HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound) to target the tumour before announcing his diagnosis. 

The former Top Gear presenter went public with his health crisis during series five of Clarkson’s Farm and he’s admitted he only shared the details because his treatment meant he would have to miss a lot of filming.

At the end of the final episode, Mr Clarkson was seen lying in a hospital bed after being rushed to hospital and he’s now revealed it came after he restarted blood-thinning medication for his heart problems.

A malignant tumour was found in his prostate in August, leading to the secret operation right in the middle of his harvest.

‘It was an aggressive type of cancer,’ he said. ‘It could have spread, it could have gone into the pancreas… and that would have been trouble.’

Now he’s using his own experience to deliver a blunt message: ‘This is why I have to say to everybody who’s reading this, please, please, please go and get checked.

‘It’s not uncomfortable, it’s not undignified. And it’s a no-brainer. I did, and that’s why I’m sitting here talking to you 11 months down the line.’

Jeremy has highlighted how his early diagnosis after getting checked has been pivotal in treating the cancer. 

A spokesman for the health department said: ‘Every man still has the right to ask their GP for a PSA test and it remains the case that the final decision rests with GPs.’  

Kylie Jenner has unveiled her latest Khy collaboration – several shoes designed with footwear label Gia Borghini.

On Friday, the 29-year-old reality TV star, who just modeled for Alo, posed nude, wearing nothing but shoes, to promote the new items.

The sexy campaign was revealed on Instagram, featuring Jenner strategically posed to cover her modesty, with help from long, straight, raven hair extensions.

One shot showed the billionaire mogul in strappy metallic silver heels, displaying a pristine French manicure. In another, she slipped her feet into a black wedge with a thong strap.

‘I’ve worn for years, so this one felt right,’ she wrote about the partnership in an Instagram caption.

Jenner subtly debuted the silver shoes in June, while sitting courtside at game four of the NBA Finals alongside boyfriend Timothee Chalamet.

On Friday, the 29-year-old reality TV star posed nude, wearing nothing but shoes, to promote the new items

Jenner added in her caption, ‘I got to create my dream footwear for @khy, handmade in Italy. 

‘I reworked every detail over and over until they felt just right and completely effortless. Coming 08.21 to khy.com.’

The striking images were snapped against a stark white backdrop.

And the makeup maven’s eyes were circled in dark liner, with her famous pout coated in a matte, berry hue.

It comes after last month the Kylie Cosmetics founder teamed up with Frankies Bikinis for a second swimwear drop.

To promote the tiny pieces, she starred in a racy shoot with Frankies founder Francesca Aiello.

The women initially worked together in July 2025, releasing a range of items dubbed Cloud Cups by Frankies Bikinis x Khy.

In one scene from the sexually-charged campaign footage, Jenner and Aiello giggled together while wearing chrome-dusted pink bikinis.

She slipped her feet into a black wedge with a thong strap

Jenner subtly debuted a pair of her new heels while sitting courtside at a Knicks game with boyfriend Timothee Chalamet in June

Jenner surprised fans when she announced her clothing line in October 2023.

She debuted the venture with a single photo of herself donning a black faux leather trench coat with zipper details.

In the caption, she wrote, ‘meet khy,’ and tagged its Instagram handle on the snap.

Accompanying the range’s introduction was a Wall Street Journal cover story describing her entrepreneurial pursuit.

The new business was commemorated with a star-studded launch party whose guest roster included Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber.

In addition to Khy, Jenner now heads Kylie Cosmetics, and Sprinter, which has been rebranded as k2o by Sprinter.

Her swimwear range, Kylie Swim, has been quietly shuttered, with only a defunct Instagram page remaining.

Arday’s appointment as Cambridge’s youngest ever black professor at the age of 37 in 2023 was hailed at the time as a progressive moment.

Announcing his resignation last week, Arday said the “personal cost” of the scrutiny of him had become “too great”.

He said: “While criticism is an inevitable part of academic life, what I have experienced has gone far beyond scholarly disagreement.

“The relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary have taken a profound toll on me and on those I love.”

He stressed that his resignation should not “be mistaken for an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me”.

Cambridge initially said claims of plagiarism regarding Arday’s thesis and some journal publications had been investigated by Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and the journals in question.

LJMU – which awarded Arday his PhD in 2015 – concluded that he had not plagiarised work.

Earlier this week, Cambridge announced an independent investigation into his appointment.

In a letter to university staff at the time, Prof Prentice said: “I fully understand the concerns being raised across the university and well beyond it, regarding Jason Arday’s appointment and I share them…

“That investigation, as you say, should be thorough and transparent, and will be carried out independently by senior academics from within and beyond Cambridge.”

Cambridge celebrated Arday’s appointment as a young black professor, one of a tiny and visible majority in academia. Only one per cent of professors in UK universities are black, making each appointment hugely significant.

The university will have to answer bigger questions including about its duty of care after it put him into a very prominent position.

It may also find itself the lightning rod for anger from several different quarters, including those who feel Arday was persecuted publicly and those who question whether he should ever have been appointed.

Jolyon Maugham from campaign group Good Law Project said Arday’s death was “a tragedy”.

“I do not understand what the public interest was in continuing to hound him after he resigned as a professor and I do not understand what risk assessments media outlets did,” Maugham added.

Speaking to BBC Newsnight, Professor of Black Studies Kehinde Andrews and friend of Arday described him as “very down” after resigning from Cambridge.

“He was very upset. He felt that there was no way out. He effectively wasn’t leaving the house. He had lost a lost of weight,” Andrews said.

“There should be a wakeup call to just how bad black academics actually have it in academia,” he added.

Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy told the programme “the idea that an academic would be dragged through this amount of media scrutiny is unheard of”.

The bones of a 34-year-old man were found in a field by a member of the public in May 2025

Mystery remains around the cause of death of a man whose bones were found in a field last year, an inquest has heard. Human bones were found by a member of the public in a field off Lynn Road in Walton Highway, near Wisbech, on May 18, 2025.

The remains were confirmed to be Sergei Voitechovic, aged 34. An inquest was held at Norfolk Coroners Court in Norwich on Friday (August 14), and heard by Coroner Maeve Sykes.

The court heard from Detective Sergeant Melanie Reid from Norfolk Police that during investigations, police discovered Sergei was reported missing to Cambridgeshire Police in October 2018.

Sergei’s sister reported him missing, and said October 2018 was the last time she had heard from him. Sergei’s cause of death could not be confirmed due to the “significant amount of time passed” between Sergei’s disappearance in 2018 and the discovery of his bones on May 18, 2025.

Coroner Sykes concluded that Sergei’s death was “unascertained”, due to the time of when his bones were discovered.

DS Reid said there had “never been any suggestion” of a third party involvement in Sergei’s death. She added: “What cannot be established is how he died due to the time that has passed and the conditions of the remains.”

DS Reid told the court that the police could also not “identify [Sergei’s] last movements or contact [to people]” in the lead up to his death, due to the time passed. DS Reid added that his remains “may have been scattered by wildlife and further buried by farm machinery”.

However, the depth at which the remains were found did not signify to police that they had been “buried”.

Earlier in the inquest, the court heard a statement from Debbie Garrett, who discovered the bones on May 18. A statement read out in court on behalf of Ms Garrett heard that on March 1, 2025, as she was walking to a bus stop on Lynn Road, she noticed what seemed like a “diamond ring”, alongside other items including red roses, 10p coins and food items.

After seeing these items, she researched if they were of “significance” and she claimed that through her research, the type of items were linked to a “solar event”. The court heard how Ms Garrett continued to look at the spot where the items were found over a number of weeks.

Her statement claimed that “every three weeks – new items” would appear in the same spot. After speaking to her gardener about the items, the pair “speculated they were part of a cult offering”.

The court also heard that Ms Garrett claimed she could hear a “poorly played flute” coming from a similar area of the field every night, and she “linked this to the offerings”. DS Reid confirmed that the “offerings” found where Sergei’s remains were found were not linked to him.

On the day that Ms Garrett discovered the bones, she found a sock that was “full of bones”, which she believed to be human. A forensic report read out in court confirmed these to be Sergei’s left foot, which were found with rib, femur and vertebrae bones belonging to Sergei.

The court also heard evidence from the owner of Richardson’s Bambers, the field where the bones were found, an employee of the field owner and the owner of farm machinery that were contracted to plough and cultivate the field.

Evidence heard from the three men mentioned that there was a “person living in a tent” in a woodland near Lynn Road. However, there was no mention if this could have been Sergei. A statement read out on behalf of Freddie Gordon, an employee of the field owner, heard how he had worked for the owner since 2015.

During this time, his work was to “maintain” the field, including ploughing and cultivating it every year between September and November. In his statement, Mr Gordon said he had seen “jewellery and flowers” within the field on occasion.

The court heard that when Mr Gordon carried out his work, it required him to “remain vigilant and aware of surroundings”. He added that it was “unlikely he would miss anything”, such as the bones.

The court also heard how he remembers spotting an A4 letter, which was “sentimental in nature – possibly a love letter”. However, there was no link to Sergei mentioned in the inquest.

A statement of evidence was also read out on behalf of Sergei’s ex-partner Agatha. The court heard how the pair met at school in Lithuania in 2013, but broke up in 2014 when Agatha moved to the UK.

She was first contacted by Norfolk Police after a Ladbrokes card in her name had been found and it was “linked to an incident” concerning Sergei. The court heard how Sergei and Agatha had one biological child together, and another child that “Sergei considered his own”.

Agatha’s statement read that Sergei had a “drug and gambling addiction”, which resulted in Sergei accumulating at least £10,000 of debt in Agatha’s name. Due to Sergei’s addictions, Agatha separated from him in 2018.

The last time she heard from him was when he left her a voicemail stating he was “sorry”, but Agatha felt the call had “no emotion to it”. Sergei’s mother kept in “sporadic contact” with Agatha until 2021, as his mother was unable to get in contact with him. However, the contact between Agatha and Sergei’s mother ended.

Coroner Sykes gave a narrative conclusion in the inquest. She said: “Sergei Voitechovic had resided in the United Kingdon from 2015 until 2017 with periods in and out of the United Kingdom thereafter.

“He is confirmed to have returned to the United Kingdom on July 11, 2018. A missing person report was filed with Interpol shortly after and Interpol requested Cambridgeshire police assistance. Sergei remained a missing person and all police and family efforts to find him proved fruitless.

“On May 18, 2025, human bones, and a wallet were found at a field adjacent to Lynn Road, Walton Highway, Norfolk by a walker. Post-mortem testing confirmed that these belonged to Sergei Voitechovic. It was not possible to ascertain a cause of death.”

The inquest concluded with Coroner Sykes offering her condolences to the family and friends of Sergei.

Andrew Mearns, 57, of Colwyn Place in Llandudno, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison at Sheffield Crown Court today (August 14, 2026) after pleading guilty to 14 counts of fraud.

The fraud took place while Mearns was a director at Gmund Cars Limited in Knaresborough – a high-value car dealership which specialised in the sale and modification of luxury vehicles, particularly Porsches.

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Between December 2006 and July 2019, Mearns agreed to sell vehicles on behalf of clients on a commission, however he sold the cars and kept the proceeds for himself, leaving clients out of pocket.

Mearns’ crimes came to light after 14 separate reports were made between October 2017 and July 2019 – with police investigating ‘extensively’ for several years.

Police Staff Investigator Corrina Graham-Merrett from North Yorkshire Police said: “Mearns lied to his customers time and time again. Thankfully, his offending was brought to a stop, and we have worked tirelessly to secure evidence against him over many years.

“The financial and emotional impact on his victims has been nothing short of devastating, and will no doubt continue for them whilst civil cases are pursued to have vehicles repatriated. It is right that he now faces the consequences for his actions.

“This case delivers a firm warning: fraud will be met with zero tolerance in our communities. We will pursue those who exploit honest trust by ensuring that we hold them to account.”

Anyone who believes they have been a victim of fraud is encouraged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 or through the force’s website or by contacting Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

At the top of the Times is the news that ex-Cambridge professor Jason Arday, who has been at the centre of a row in-part focused on accusations of plagiarism, has been found dead. The police have said his death is being treated as “unexpected, but is not believed to be suspicious”. Also on the front page, “Burnham calls up the military to tackle fires”.

Craig Ingram (Matthew James Bailey) is set to make yet another big discovery about Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) in EastEnders next week but not before he receives some rather shocking news of his own.

The detective, as viewers know, is investigating the attack carried out on Joel Marshall (Max Murray), whose presence in the Square proved controversial following his release from prison.

Joel was jailed earlier this year after he attacked stepmum Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig). He also recorded himself having sex with Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) without her knowledge or consent.

After he was released, he returned to stay in Walford with dad Ross (Alex Walkinshaw), which didn’t go down with the teens of the Square – namely Amy, who invited him to the park under the pretence of an end-of-term party.

When he showed up, Joel was apprehended and tied up using Ricky Butcher’s (Frankie Day) bike lock as the others poured beer over him, filming the incident on their phones.

Joel was later attacked by an unknown assailant, which led to a police investigation, with DC Craig determined to get to the bottom of what transpired.

Over the past week, numerous revelations have come to light, with Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) confirming that she freed Joel prior to the attack while Denzel Danes (Jaden Ladega) confessed to being with Avani at the time of the assault, which ruled all three out as suspects.

Amy, meanwhile, was quizzed by Craig, who proved supportive, which prompted her to spill the beans about Ricky owning the bike lock used to restrain Joel.

After finding out that Denzel – who she was starting to develop feelings for once more – had a moment with Avani, Amy was devastated and thus sought solace in a bottle of alcohol.

Craig spotted her at McKlunkeys soon after and offered her the opportunity to open up. In unexpected scenes, Amy confessed to being responsible for Joel’s attack, leaving Craig utterly reeling.

Next week, Amy frets about what she’s told Craig, pleading with him to keep it a secret. Craig says he’ll do his best to keep a lid on things but makes it clear they are both compromised now that he knows about Amy’s actions.

The detective, as viewers will recall, withheld the video of the teens tormenting Joel from evidence on Jack and Joel’s request and he fears that this could lead to him losing his job.

With these concerns playing on his mind, will he do as Amy asks and keep shtum about her involvement?

We’ll just have to wait and see as, following Amy’s plea, Craig heads to the station, where he’s told that he’s been suspended from public duty police after a serious complaint is made against him.

As a result, he’s taken off the Joel case.

Back on the Square, Jack tells Amy that the police will likely find Joel’s attacker. Terrified, Amy decides that she’s going to run away – but before she has time to make her escape, Craig catches her.

The question is: just what will Craig have to say about her attempted exit plans? The immediate aftermath has yet to be revealed but what we can say is that later in the week, Craig promises to be there for Amy, who accepts his support.

But just what will happen next?

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.

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MORE: Infuriated Ross tackles Amy over Joel in EastEnders after making a big discovery

MORE: Joel confronts all teen suspects over the attack with an EastEnders twist coming

MORE: Lily exposes a truth in EastEnders with main teen culprit revealed

Stonegate Group has asked the Planning Inspectorate to overturn North Yorkshire Council’s decision to refuse permission for work at The Talbot Hotel, in the market place.

The work, carried out in July 2025, involved replacing two concrete areas with patio surfacing and installing timber fencing to create a garden terrace.

The council refused permission in May after concluding the work had formalised the beer garden and resulted in more intensive use close to neighbouring homes.

The application attracted 11 objections, including from residents of neighbouring properties.

Concerns included increased noise and disturbance, particularly during the evening, as well as the impact of customers coming and going and the sustained occupation of the terrace.

Residents also raised concerns about noise when doors providing access to the terrace were opened and closed, and light spilling from external lighting into neighbouring properties.

Richmond Town Council objected due to concerns about excessive noise disturbing residents, while the council’s environmental protection team also opposed the scheme.

Environmental health officers said they had received noise complaints in August 2025 which coincided with the opening of the refurbished terrace. They concluded its use was likely to have a detrimental impact on people living nearby.

However, the application also received 28 letters of support, with supporters highlighting the importance of maintaining a viable town centre pub, improved facilities and the contribution the business makes to Richmond’s social life.

Stonegate disputes the council’s conclusions.

Planning consultants Bidwells, acting for the company, argue that the land was already part of the pub and used for outdoor customer seating before the improvements.

They say there has been no increase in the capacity of the garden area and that the fencing has actually created a more restricted terrace with fewer tables and chairs, while providing some visual and acoustic screening.

The company adds that issues arising from customers using the outside area can be dealt with through the pub’s premises licence rather than the planning system.

Stonegate says the improvements are important to The Talbot’s commercial viability, helping it attract customers and supporting jobs.

Its appeal statement describes the council’s refusal as “draconian” and says the authority should instead support the hospitality sector.

Orlaith Prenter was recalled to the Antrim squad late in the season and played a starring role as the Saffrons won the TG4 All-Ireland Junior Football Championship title

Following a significant hiatus from the inter-county game, Orlaith Prenter returned to play a starring role in the latter stages of Antrim’s TG4 All-Ireland junior football championship success this season.

A winner of the third-tier competition back in 2022, Prenter registered 0-5 when the Saffron County lost out narrowly to Clare in a TG4 All-Ireland intermediate football championship semi-final on July 23 of the following year.

She subsequently moved to Australia where she worked with an engineering company in Brisbane and while she returned to help St Ergnat’s, Moneyglass to win the Antrim senior club championship in 2024, she was back in the southern hemisphere during the 2025 inter-county season.

Yet this summer saw her moving home once again and although the 26-year-old hadn’t any immediate plans to make an Antrim comeback, she was asked to rejoin the panel in the midst of their ongoing championship campaign.

Appearing first as a substitute in Antrim’s third group game against Longford in the All-Ireland JFC at Tír na nÓg, Randalstown on June 21, Prenter went on to claim a starting berth for their semi-final and final victories over Sligo and Carlow respectively.

“I was back midway through June, I think it was. To be honest whenever I came home, county wasn’t really on my mind because I knew rightly it was so far into the season. When things are going well for a panel, you don’t really want to go in and disturb things. I didn’t even know if the offer would be there coming home,” Prenter admitted.

“Thankfully they gave me a call and asked would I come into the squad. I think they had a couple of things injuries wise and Ana Mulholland had left to go to Australia to play AFL. I was really thankful that I did get that call and it worked out great in the end.

“I think I was only there for the Longford game, the Sligo game and then the final. Not much of a season got played, but I came out at the end with an All-Ireland from it. I can’t really complain!”

The contribution made by Prenter in Antrim’s All-Ireland junior final success at the expense of Carlow in Croke Park on August 2 was substantial as she amassed six points over the course of the contest – five of them coming from play.

While she was content with this scoring return, Prenter was just happy to have come out on the right side of the result.

In fact, she is quick to heap praise upon the LGFA’s ZuCar Golden Boot winner for 2026 – and her St Ergnat’s, Moneyglass club-mate – Maria O’Neill. With just 15 seconds left on the clock, she kicked a decisive point to guide Antrim towards a 1-13 to 2-9 win.

“I think you just kind of know on the day whether things like shooting are going to go your way or are they not. Thankfully they did go my way. I’m happy enough with that and more so the result. I could have kicked a point and if we had won, I would have been happy enough. At the end of the day it just comes down to the result.

“Maria had played an absolute blinder against Sligo. I think Carlow did their homework on her and that was credit to them, but she found her feet there in the last 10 minutes. It was probably the most important period of the game. That’s when she hit her form.”

Aside from collecting the main prize on offer (the West County Hotel Cup), there was satisfaction within the Antrim set-up last Sunday week at finally getting over the line in Croke Park.

You had to go back to their All-Ireland junior final success of 2012 for the last time the Antrim ladies were victorious at GAA HQ – the now-retired Áine Tubridy being the sole survivor from that game 14 years later. From there, the Saffrons went on to lose junior deciders in 2016, 2021 and 2025 in addition to drawing with Fermanagh in the 2022 third-tier showpiece.

Their replay win in the latter took place at the Box-It Athletic Grounds in Armagh, which meant there was something a little different about their 2026 success.

“We were actually saying funny enough the week before the final, that there was a few who had maybe played three games in Croke Park and hadn’t won one of them.

“It probably was lingering in the back of people’s minds about ‘we’ve been here before and we haven’t been able to finish out games’. It was deadly and hopefully it will stand by us for future games if we get back to Croke Park.”

There won’t be much time to rest for Antrim’s All-Ireland winning stars, however, as the club championship in the Saffron County is set to gather pace in the coming days and weeks.

This Monday will see St Ergnat’s, Moneyglass taking on Naomh Bríd in the Antrim senior championship and Prenter is set to have a big role to play after transferring back to her home team once again in May of this year.

When Moneyglass faced the all-conquering Kilkerrin-Clonberne in an historic final appearance in the AIB All-Ireland senior club football championship at Croke Park on December 13 of last year, Prenter was watching on from the outside. Reaching a national showpiece on the back of winning the Antrim and Ulster championships made it a memorable year for the club and she acknowledges it played a huge part in her decision to return home permanently from Australia.

“Whenever I was away, I remember watching the Ulster final and obviously I was immensely proud of all them, but it does sit at the back of your head ‘I’m the only one now without an Ulster medal from Moneyglass’,” Prenter added.

“That was the kind of the point where I was like ‘I don’t really want to miss out on that again’. Then I actually came home for the All-Ireland final and watched it. I was home for six days, I was so proud of them all. Moneyglass football is just going in such a good direction. Hopefully we can replicate that this year.”

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