Tailteann Cup – Group 2 Round 1

Corrigan Park, Belfast

A strong start to both halves saw Antrim overcome visitors Tipperary by four points in Sunday’s Tailteann Cup opening round game at Corrigan Park Belfast.

Antrim appeared to be coasting in the early stages after Kavan Keenan fired to the net just seconds after Tipperary’s Conor Sweeney missed a golden chance with the goal at his mercy seconds earlier at the other end. Two minutes later Keenan’s full back partner Eunan Walsh also hit the Tipperary net as a full of running Antrim were really flying.  The Saffrons stretched their advantage to eight points, but inspired by late replacement Conor Sweeney the visitors fought their way back into the game, and reduced the gap to a goal by half time, late replacement Sean O’Connor getting the Tipp goal.

Tipperary appeared to be in a good position as the turned to play with the fresh breeze, but once again Antrim were quick from the traps and a great three man move was palmed to the net by full forward Ruairi McCann. Two quick points from corner forward Ryan McQuillan and one by Conor Hand stretched the Antrim lead, and when McCann struck again on fifty minutes with his second goal the only thing in question appeared to be the size of the winning margin.

However, just as in the first halh, Tipp came roaring back and holding the hosts scoreless for next fifteen minutes they hit 1-5 without reply, the goal coming from a Sweeney penalty.

The outcome was now very much in the balance.

Sweeney (2), Kennedy and Maloney all added points and suddenly the gap was down to just two points, but Antrim steadied the ship with late points from substitute Dominic McEnhill put them four clear, but it still took a very good save with his feet from Antrim keeper Byrne to see the Saffrons home..

ANTRIM

Michael Byrne, Declan Lynch, Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keenan, Niall Burns, Joseph Finnegan, Dermot McAleese, Patrick McAleer, Cathal Hynds, Conor Hand, Patrick McBride, Ruairi McCann (Creggan), Ryan McQuillan, Ruairi McCann (Aghagallon), Marc Jordan

TIPPERARY

Evan Comerford, Tadhg Condon, Jimmy Feehan, James Morris, Mark Stokes, Paudie Feehan, Teddy Doyle, Stephen Grogan, Conall Kennedy, Conor Cadell, Jack Kennedy, (Clonmel Commercials) Peter McGarry, Sean O’Connor, Conor Sweeney, Steven O’Brien. 

ANTRIM SCORERS

Ruairi McCann (Aghagallon) 2-0; Eunan Walsh 1-0, Kavan Keenan 1-0; Ryan McQuillan 0-3; Paddy McBride 0-2; Ruairi McCann (Creggan) 0-1, Paddy McAleer 0-2, Dominic McEnhill 0-2.

TIPPERARY SCORERS

Conor Sweeney 1-7 1-0 pen; 0-2f;  P Feehan 1-0; S O’Connor 0-1; E Comerford 0-1 – 45; T Doyle 0-1; J Kennedy 0-1; D Brennan 0-1; C Cadell 0-1

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