Leinster Minor Hurling – Peader Laithlain cup
Antrim 2-9 Carlow 2-7
Antrim Minor Hurlers won the Leinster Minor B Hurling Championship when they beat Carlow in Saturday’s final at O’Toole Park, Dublin
Leading by 1-8 to 1-4 after a hard fought first half the young Saffrons really hit their stride after the break and pulled clear to win by 2-19 to 2-7
A goal from Frank Kane (who started in place of the injured Fiontan Bradley) in three minutes and a point from Thomas McLaughlin gave Antrim a good start but Carlow came back with points in the 8th and 9th minutes from midfielder Ruairi Murphy. Two Liam McEnhill points restored Antrim’s four point advantage but just at the end of the opening quarter Carlow got right back in the game when full forward Alan Wall grabbed a goal. Antrim responded well and three points from Thomas McLaughlin frees and one each from play by Conan Johnston and Oisin McCallin helped them build a 1-8 to 1-4 advantage at the interval.
At the start of the second half Antrim centre forward Conor Donnelly and Carlow’s Ruairi Murphy exchanged points but Antrim were starting to gain the upper hand and two points from Thomas McLaughlin, plus one each from Oisin and Lorcan McCallin were followed by a goal from Frank Kane which pushed the lead out to eleven. Carlow came back with a point from midfielder Aodhan Kehoe but Antrim closed it out as Thomas McLaughlin, Frank Kane and Callagh Mooney fired over.
Carlow did manage a late goal as the dangerous Alan Wall got his second goal of the game but free taker McLaughlin finished it all with a late score to seal a convincing win.
