Offaly end Antrim’s Leinster campaign with punishing second half

Leinster Under 20 Hurling Championship

Offaly 2-17 Antrim 0-8

Antrim’s interest in this year’s Leinster Under 20 Hurling Championship came to an end at Darvar on Saturday when they were well beaten by Offaly in the last of their round robin games. The young Saffrons were well in the game in the first half and despite playing an ultra-defensive style were within reach of the Faithful county nearing half time. However the midlanders finished the half strongly with a great goal from centre forward Joe Hoctor, and despite the fact that Aodhan McGarry pulled a point back from a 65 in first half injury time, Offaly went in at the break leading by double scores 1-7 to 0-5.

Despite the deficit the Antrim followers were reasonably optimistic as the sides re-emerged for the second half as they had played against a diagonal wind in the first half. However the Offaly side were dominant throughout the second period as Antrim struggled, and it was clear that their re-arranged game with Meath during the week had taken its toll. The energy and drive they had shown all season just was not there and Offaly, with teenage sensation Adam Screeney, giving an exhibition of score taking, pushed on to win convincingly.

Antrim had started the game well and took the lead in the second minute with a point from right half back Ben McGarry, but a point from play by star man Adamy Screeny brought Offaly level. Screeney put his team in from for the first time from a free after he was fouled by Antrim corner back Boyle, but Joe McLaughlin had the sides level again by the fifth minute with a well take point from play at the other end.

Joe Hoctor restored the Offaly lead but Aodhan McGarry squared it all up again two minute later with a point from a free. However Antrim were finding it hard to get the ball to their inside forward line and Offaly started to get on top. Two more Screeney points saw a gap began to open but Antrim had a good little spell in the game when Niall McGarel pointed. There were a couple of other good chances to get back on terms but wayward shooting let them down and when centre forward Hoctor weaved his way in along the endline to fire home the first goal of the game, Offaly had a decisive edge.

Antrim needed a good start to the second half if they were to stay in touch, but it was Offaly who sprang from the traps and three points in as many minutes from Rigney, Screeney and Burke stretched their lead to eight. Screeney and Dan Burke had the gap out to ten by the time Antrim got their first score of the second half through a Christy McGarry free, but when centre back Dan Burke broke forward to grab his team’s second goal soon afterwards the only thing in question was the size of the winning margin.

To their credit Antrim battled to the end, but Offaly were not to be stopped and in the end they crossed the finish line fifteen points to the good.

A disappointing day for the young men in Saffron, but they deserve the highest praise for their efforts throughout this campaign. They have played some great hurling throughout their Ulster and Leinster campaigns and they can hold their heads high.