Leinster Under 20 Hurling Championship
Antrim 6-17 Meath 0-09
Match Report by James Bakewell
Antrim Under-20 Hurlers got their first Leinster Championship win of the season last night when they beat Meath at a wet and windy Louth GAA Centre Of Excellence in Darver.
This is a first victory for Antrim at this level since entering the competition in 2018 and one which the players and management will take great encouragement from with some of the scores and general play coming right out of the top drawer.
The boys from the Glens earned the right to compete in the Leinster group stages this year virtue of winning an extremely competitive Ulster Hurling Championship – defeating Derry in the final at a snow-drenched Owenbeg five weeks ago.
Aidan Scullion
Last Saturday the young Saffrons lost out narrowly to Westmeath in their opening game in Mullingar and having played the majority of the game with 14 men and seeing a raft of scoring chances go astray, the boys in Saffron knew it was time to deliver in last night’s re-arranged game with Meath
The opening exchanges saw the two teams trading point for point and when Antrim began to rack up a few missed chances, albeit against a very strong breeze,it began to feel like a case of déjà vu.
However, steadied by a few well-taken frees from ace marksman Aodhan McGarry the Antrim men went in 0-09 to 0-05 ahead at the short whistle.
What followed in the second half was simply sensational. With the wind at their backs the Antrim attack racked up a hugely impressive 6-08 in a free-scoring display and ensured that they remained in the fight for qualification to the next round. Big Aidan Scullion got two of the goals, his Glenarm club mate Niall McGarrel got one, while Seanie McIntosh, Christy McGarry and Joe McLaughlin got one apiece
Antrim now turn their attention to Offaly in what will be their 3rd away game in 7 days when they return to Darver on Saturday (Throw-In 3.00pm).
Christy McGarry
The players and management know that nothing less than a win will suffice if they are to have a chance of qualifying for the KO stages of this year’s Leinster Hurling Championship.
Offaly are led by current senior star Charlie Mitchell and their team is littered with players like Adam Screeney and Dan Ravenhill who inspired the Minor team all the way to the All-Ireland Final last year.
This will be an extremely tough assignment for the young Saffrons, but one which they will absolutely relish. Good luck to the players and management on Saturday.
