Leinster U20 Hurling Championship, Round One

Laois 3-21 Antrim 0-12

Antrim’s Under 20 hurlers’ season came to an end at Parnell Park on Saturday when they were well beaten by Laois in the last sixteen of the Leinster Championship. When the young Saffrons went in at half time trailing by just three points (0-9 to 0-6) the signs looked good for Paudie Shivers team. To have played ‘up the slope’ in the first half and just trail by 3, most team’s would have felt they were in with a great chance, but Laois upped the pace in the second half, and though their 3 late goals might have made the margin of victory a little flattering, they were still on a different level.  

The early signs were good for Antrim as Seamus McAuley hit two early points, and when Eoin Trainor fired over, after receiving a great pass from ‘Bicky’ McGarry thing were looking up.

However it was clear that Laois were begging to find their feet and as they got to grips with the Ulster side and were soon level on four points apiece. Laois should have their first major when Kirwin was put in on goal by Noah Quinlan but he somehow missed the target and Antrim took advantage as Bubbles McMullan pointed at the other end.

The O’Moore County side were squandering a series of chances, but when they changed their free taker, which paid immediate dividends at Cillian Dunne sent over a couple of excellent scores to help his team to a 0-9 to 0-6 half time lead.

The early stages of the second half saw Antrim stay well in touch as Tiernan Smyth replied to an early Laois point from Quinlan. Laois moved five ahead as Dunne and Duggan found the target, but the gap was back to four again when Smyth sent one over for the Saffrons.

However it was clear the boys from the Midlands were starting to get on top and they began to make it show on the scoreboard as they hit 1-6 without reply to all but put the game beyond Antrim’s reach, three of the point coming from Padraig Brennan and the goal from the impressive Noah Quinlan.

Second half substitute Seanie McIntosh impressed as he hit two fine points and Christy McGarry knocked over two from placed balls, but Laois were stretching the gap by the minute, and while Duggan and Quinlan’s late goals may have flattered Laois a little, they were convincing winners nonetheless.

Afterwards a very disappointed Antrim manager Paudie Shivers said “I’m an Antrim man and we’ve had many days like this, but it’s just part of life and important to take the learnings and move on with it,” “We’ve got 12 boys moving on now (to senior) and I wouldn’t hesitate to put any of those 12 boys into senior-level because the way they have committed and their skill level – although it didn’t happen for them today.

“Whilst it is a disappointing result for us, things are put firmly in perspective by the passing of John Mullan (our goalkeeper Callum Mullan’s grandfather) prior to the game and I want to pass on the condolences to the Mullan family on behalf of Callum’s team-mates and coaches. I’m sure John would be very proud of him today.”

ANTRIM: Callum Mullan; Ruairi McCormick, Rory McCloskey, Dubhaltach Wilson; Daire McMullan, Enda Og McGarry, Barry Scott; Eoin Trainor, Ronan Laverty; Rian McMullan (0-1), Seamus McAuley (0-3 frees), Daire Murphy; Tiernan Smyth (0-1), Aidan Scullion, Christy McGarry (0-5, 3 frees).
Subs: Feargal McKiernan for S McAuley (HT), Conlith McKinley for D Murphy (HT), Seanie McIntosh (0-2) for A Scullion (42), Niall McGarel for T Smyth (52), Conor Boyle for D McMullan (56)

LAOIS: Paddy Hassett; Ian Shanahan, Lawson Obular, Danny Brennan; Padraig Brennan (0-4), Niall Cross (0-1), Philip Aynan; Cody Comerford, Tadgh Cuddy; Dan Delaney (0-3 frees), Cillian Dunne (0-6, 3 frees, 1 65), Eddie Critchley; James Duggan (1-4), Noah Quinlan (2-1), Adam Kirwin (0-1).
Subs: Colin Byrne for A Kirwin (29), Bryan Bredin for E Critchley (41), Shaun Fitzpatrick for D Delaney (53), Rian Edwards for C Comerford (55), Tiarnach Doheny (0-1) for D Brennan (58)

REFEREE: Adam Kinahan (Offaly)