Louth 0 – 04 v Antrim 4 – 19
Antrim Masters backed up their opening win two weeks ago against Monaghan with another impressive display, this time against Louth Masters, on Saturday in St Malachis Gaa club, Hacksballcross.
It took less than a minute for team captain for the day and recent Irish international Ryan Boyd to open the scoring and the big former Moneyglass man doubling this five minutes later to establish a lead that the Saffrons would go on to maintain fairly comfortably.
Playing a good blend of possession, Antrim started to open up a gaps in the Louth defence, the power and pace of attacking wing back Tony Scullion was causing all sorts of problems for the Louth defence, creating numerous goal scoring opportunities. Mark Graham got on the end of one such attack to finish to the net past Louth custodian Dermot Hickey, with Graham going on to post three more points in an impressive opening quarter.
It took Louth thirteen minutes to post their first score, a long range free converted by centre half forward Tommy Carr, but with half time approaching the fast feet of Carl O Neill eluded Hickey in the Louth goals, and when O Neill cooly rolled the ball into the corner of the net, this contest was starting to look fairly routine for the visitors.
Although Carr Clarke and Gogarty raised white flags to keep Louth in the contest, by the time referee Martin Conroy blew for half time there was a considerable ten point gap that in reality Antrim never looked likely of conceding.
The second half turned out to be a fairly routine affair, lively Mark Graham making no mistake to add another goal to take his tally for the day to a two goals and two points. Shortly after, impressive newcomer Niall Sweeney added a fourth, with unselfish contributions in that particular move from the commanding figure of Tony Convery, Barry Mc Mahon and Kevin McAllister, who himself made a huge contribution throughout, helping himself to a personal tally of five points.
Other players to catch the eye in a free scoring Saffron attack were Liam Magee and Declan McLarnon, whilst the hard working James McGreevy, Declan Hassen, Deaghlan White all made telling contributions.
Whilst Ken Golden Ryan Boyd and debutant Brendan Etherson were well in control of matters in or around the middle third, the basis for this impressive display was the entire Antrim defence who limited Louth to only one score from play throughout the hour.
Antrim’s half back line of Tony Scullion, Tony Convery and Thomas Doherty can be well pleased with their contributions, all playing a prominent part in this excellent team performance, as can goalkeeper Sean Mc Greevys full back line that was superbly marshalled by Laurence Higgins Ryan Daly and the tireless running of Collie Connolly.
With numerous additions expected to this Antrim Squad in the coming weeks, including the return of Michael Herron from holidays and the awaited seasonal debut of Cargin’s highly decorated Kieran Close, it will be interesting to see if this rich vein of form can be continued when Donegal provide stiffer opposition in a fortnight in round three.
Antrim Scorers: Mark Graham 2 – 02, Kevin McAllister 0 – 06, Ryan Boyd 0 – 03, Niall Sweeney 1 – 01, Carl O’Neill 1 – 00, Liam Og Magee 0 – 03, Declan McLarnon 0 – 01, Barry McMahon 0 – 01, Tony Scullion 0 – 01, James McGreevy 0 – 01.
Louth Scorers: – T Carr 0- 02, J Tifoney 0 – 01, P Clarke 0 -01.