Tailteann Cup-Group 2-Round 2

Wexford 0-17 Antrim 1-15

Antrim made it two from two in the Tailteann Cup when they travelled to Chadwick’s Wexford Park but they had to withstand a late rally from the home side who kicked the last two points of the game.

Had they lost it would have been unfair on Andy McEntee’s side who might have had two more goals prior to those injury time points from Wexford and for most of the 70 plus minutes the Saffrons had the measure of their hosts.

Once again it was Ruairi McCann of Aghagallon who proved to be a thorn in the Wexford side as his goal after 5 minutes gave Antrim a lead they would not again lose.

After that McCann got little change from Wexford full-back, Gavin Sheehan but The big Aghagallon sharp shooter’s goal provided the Saffrons with the boost to push on to lead by four at half time.

Wexford fought hard and had it back to one on three occasions in the second half but each time Andy McEntee’s men were able to find a response.

McCann’s early goal – his third in two games – and points from defenders Declan Lynch and Joseph Finnegan settled Andy McEntee’s men saw them 1-2 to 0-3 ahead by the 11th minute, a lead which Wexford were never able to overturn.

Wexford got off to the better start and settled into a 0-2 to 0-0 lead within three minutes courtesy of Darragh Lyons and Páraic Hughes.

Having beaten Wexford at the same stage last year, Antrim’s intent was clear as full-forward Ruairí McCann, fresh from his two goal salvage against Tipperary, gathered a long delivery and outwitted his marker to fire to Will Foley’s net.

Seán Nolan levelled from a free, but Antrim were solid in defence and deadly on the counter as Declan Lynch, Joseph Finnegan, Niall Burns and captain, Dermot McAleese raised white-flags for a 1-4 to 0-3 lead after 18 minutes.

Wexford lacked real spark, but they had the gap down to 1-6 to 0-7 after 30 minutes as Seán Nolan tagged on three further points (two frees) and Kevin O’Grady also weighed in after a strong run from full-back Gavin Sheehan.

The momentum was very much with Antrim at this stage and Wexford survived a real scare after a Ryan McQuillan double moved the visitor 1-8 to 0-7 ahead after 34 minutes.

Indeed, with Antrim ‘keeper Michael Byrne deep in Wexford territory, the Saffrons turned over the home kick-out only for Conor Hand to fire wide of an empty goal with Wexford keeper,  Will Foley stranded in no man’s land.

Andy McEntee’s men had to settle for a four point advantage at the change-of-ends but might well have been further ahead.

Wexford staged a comeback at the start of the second half and had closed the gap to one as they kicked five of the first seven points of the second-half.

Seán Nolan, Mark Rossiter, Niall Hughes, O’Grady and a second from defender Darragh Lyons added increasing momentum to the home charge while a brace in response from McQuillan kept Antrim ahead.

Antrim were always able to respond however as Paddy McAleer and goalie Michael Byrne chipped in for a 1-12 to 0-12 advantage after 53 minutes – the latter with a ‘45′ after Wexford ‘keeper Will Foley denied Ruairí McCann as he threatened a second goal.

McQuillan had the gap back out to four points after 56 minutes before Wexford sub Jack Higgins, Seán Nolan (free) and Páraic Hughes gave the locals a fighting chance (1-14 to 0-15).

But Antrim twice went dangerously close to netting telling blows – the Wexford ‘keeper brilliantly denying Marc Jordan minutes before full-back Gavin Sheehan thwarted Ruairí McCann’s bid to touch home a cross from Patrick McBride.

Antrim held out nevertheless, McQuillan’s sixth of the day safeguarding the spoils despite the loss of attacker Conor Hand to a black-card in added-time.

Antrim and Sligo are now both guaranteed qualification, with their forthcoming duel set to determine who goes straight to the quarter-finals.

Scorers for Antrim: Ryan McQuillan 0-6 (3fs), Ruairí McCann 1-0, Patrick McAleer 0-3, Declan Lynch, Joseph Finnegan, Niall Burns, Declan McAleese, Cathal Hynds, Michael Byrne (‘45) 0-1 each

Scorers for Wexford: Seán Nolan 0-6 (4fs), Darragh Lyons, Páraic Hughes, Kevin O’Grady, Mark Rossiter (1f) 0-2 each, Niall Hughes, Jack Higgins, Ben Brosnan (f) 0-1 each

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

Subs: Dominic McEnhill for McCann (Creggan) (51), James McDonnell for Keenan (67), Colm McLarnon for McCann (70+4).

Wexford: Will Foley; Dylan Furlong, Gavin Sheehan, Liam O’Connor; Darragh Lyons, Eoin Porter, Glen Malone; Liam Coleman, Niall Hughes; Mark Rossiter, Páraic Hughes, Conor Carty; Seán Nolan, Kevin O’Grady, Eoghan Nolan.

Subs: Jack Higgins for Carty (HT), Conor Kinsella for E. Nolan (45), Graham Staples for Lyons (60), Ben Brosnan for O’Grady (68), Jonathan Bealin for S. Nolan (69).

Referee: David Murnane (Cork).

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