Kildare 0-22 Antrim 1-26
Report by Paul McLean – Photos by Siofra O’Mullan
After suffering defeats to Ulster University and Donegal seniors in the McGurk Cup during the last two weeks Antrim U20 hurlers travelled to Leixlip on Saturday to take on their Kildare counterparts. Kildare underage hurling has been on the up in recent years and have beaten Antrim at minor and U21 in the past few years, so when
The Lilly Whites started strongly and led 0-08 to 0-01 at the first water break there were deep concerns in the Antrim camp.
However what followed turned out to be a real tonic for the whole squad and the young Saffrons set about reducing the deficit.
From the next whistle Antrim took over with Daire Murphy and Feargal ‘Digger’ McKiernan covering every blade of ‘grass’ – feeding Seamus McAuley, Aidan Scullion and Seanie ‘Tosh’ to start the scoreboard ticking for the Saffrons.
An injection of pace and aggression from the Antrim bench further stamped their authority with Finn Henry exceptional in defence, Antrim ran out comfortable winners in the end in a really entertaining game.
Team manager Paudie Shivers and his management team have been putting in a big effort with this young team and Saturday was a real fillip for the whole squad.
Meath provide the opposition next Saturday (29th January) for the Antrim boys and the journeys south continue.
Antrim scorers v Kildare were
Daire McMullan 0-01
Daire Murphy 0-01
Aidan Scullion 0-04
Rian McMullan 0-01
Feargal McKiernan 0-05
Seamus McAuley 1-11 (1-8f)
Seanie McIntosh 0-02
Tiernan Smyth 0-01
