Buncrana Cup second round

Antrim U16 footballers travelled to Burren on Saturday for their second round game in the Buncrana Cup. Having beaten Armagh in the first round confidence was high in Saffron camp. First blood in the game went to the home side with Jamie Cahill slotting a free. The same player doubled Downs score in the 8^th minute, again from the placed ball. Antrim, playing against the breeze shot a number of wides before opening their account with a fine score from Ronan McKillop. Captain Sean Duffin then seized on a loose Down pass and stroked over a lovely point from a wide angle. The visitors began to get to grips with the game then and a superb interception from Conail McGirr was moved all the way up the field for Glenavy man Finn Mailey to blast an unstoppable drive to the Down net. Ronan Mckillop quickly followed this with another major and Antrim were in full control of the game. Another two frees  from Cahill for Down kept the home side in the game . HT Down 0-4 Antrim 2-3.

The second half saw Antrim open their account with a fine point by Aiden McErlain but the visitors were rocked by 2 quick Down goals, completely against the run of play. Big questions were now being asked of the Saffrons and they answered them in style. Matthew Maynes, sprung from the bench, added a goal and a point in quick fashion to settle the visitors, Callum Higgins, Barra McCaffrey, Sean Duffin and McKillop all added points to pull the Antrim lads away from their hosts. Antrim finished very strongly adding goals from Odhran Molloy, McKillop and Hugh Hannon.  Another excellent result for this young group, Darragh Doherty, Shaun O’Callaghan and Conleith O’Toole were solid in defence. Dan McNicholl and Eunan Quinn dominated the midfield, and Sean Duffin, Ronan McKillop, Barra McCaffrey and Callum Higgins were all dominant in the forward line. FT Down 2-5 Antrim 6-9

Antrim now face Derry on Saturday 30^th March Dunsilly at 2pm in the next round.

Team

John McCooey (St Brides)

Patrick Moyes (Rossa)

Darragh Doherty (St Josephs)

Antoin McLaughlin (Davitts)

Conleith O’Toole (St James)

Shaun O’Callaghan (All Saints)

Conail McGirr (St Galls)

Daniel McNicholl (Casements)

Eunan Quinn (Erins Own)

Ronan McKillop (All Saints) 2-2

Sean Duffin (Kickhams) 0-2

Finn Mailey (St Josephs) 1-0

Aiden McErlain ( St Ergnat’s) 0-1

Callum Higgins (Con Magee) 0-1

Barra McCaffrey (Rossa) 0-1

Subs used

Matthew Maynes (St Johns) 1-1

Michael Murray (Kickhams)

Josh Higgins (Tir na nog)

James McCormick (St Ergnat’s)

Odhran Molloy (Erins Own) 1-1

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