Higgins goal lifts Antrim but comes too late to affect the result

Electric Ireland Ulster Minor Football Championship Qualifiers

Armagh 1-14

Antrim 1-9

A much improved second half display by Antrim and a goal by Calum Higgins lifted the spirits of the young Saffrons and the small group of supporters who made their way to the Athletic but came too late to overturn a big Armagh halftime lead.

Higgins and his Con Magee’s colleague, Rian Lennon led the Antrim assault with Lennon accounting for all 0-9 of the Antrim points and it certainly gave the home side a few anxious moments at the end but unfortunately the damage had been done in the opening half.

A goal from Mark McKeever on 10 minutes helped the home side to a commanding 1-10 to 0-4 lead at half-time with Rian Lennon scoring all of his side’s first half points.

A goal from Calum Higgins on 40 minutes raised the possibility of an Antrim comeback, but the home side always had enough in hand.

Rian Lennon who scored 0-9 for Antrim, takes on Ryan Short, Armagh

Indeed, Armagh shaded the exchanges throughout and looked to be running away with it at one stage but a much improved Antrim outscored them during an improved second half with Ronan Boyle getting to grip with the Armagh dominance at midfield.

The sides were evenly matches for the opening 10 minutes with Lennon getting Antrim off the mark before Armagh replied with back-to-back points from Ciaran Donnelly and Adam Garvey. Lennon landed his second of the evening from a free, but the Antrim rear guard were opened up with a brilliant passage of play from Armagh.

A long diagonal ball from midfielder Dara O’Callaghan was fielded by Mark McKeever and the youngster showed great composure to slot the ball past the advancing Jonathan Rodgers.

Antrim may have got a sense that it wasn’t going to be their night when a Calum Higgins attempt at a point crashed off the top of the crossbar and away from danger and the Orchard lads outscored their opponents 0-8 to 0-2 for the remainder of the half.

Antrim’s Paudie McLaughlin gets out in front of Dara O’Callaghan, Armagh

McKeever brought his tally to 1-2 while O’Callaghan (two) and King and Caolan Reavey fired over two excellent points as the home side led 1-10 to 0-4 at the break.

Scores from Donnelly and another free from O’Callaghan stretched the lead to 11 early in the half, but Armagh suffered a double blow within the space of 60 seconds at opposite ends of the pitch.

Full-forward McKeever was forced off after coming worst in a challenge with Antrim keeper, Rodgers and when Higgins got on the end of a long delivery to finish to the newt from close range the Saffrons began to show a bit of belief.

Lennon followed with a fine point butdespite the best efforts of the visitors, Armagh were able to keep them at arm’s length with Reavey and substitute Niall Dummigan landing late insurance points as the Orchard County progress to face Donegal in the next round.