Antrim Hurling League – Division 2
Oisins 1-32 Sarsfields 4-14
It is not often you score 33 times in a game and are still looking over your shoulder to see the opposition closing in, but that is exactly how it was for Glenariffe on Sunday. In the end they beat Sarsfields by nine points, but up until they got their goal in the 54th minute they still looked vulnerable as visitors Sarsfields found the net on a regular basis, county star Niall McKenna leading the line with two top class finishes.
The first half was fairly evenly contested and each time it looked like the Oisins were starting to build a lead, the Paddies hit back to stay well in contention. Seanie McIntosh was leading the line for the home side sending over some excellent points from frees and play, ably assisted by Orrin O’Connor and Oliver Kearney. Nineteen minutes in they lead by double scores 0-10 to 0-05, but were pegged back when Kevin McKernan fired in a goal from twenty metres, to leave just two between the sides. Three more points by ‘Tosh’ gave them a bit of breathing space but late points from McKenna and Kevo left the Paddies just two in arrears at the interval. 0-13 to 1-07.
The young Oisins side appeared to have pulled clear of the danger when they hit the first five points of the second half, three of them from McIntosh and two from Orrin O’Connor, brought a well taken goal from the right corner by Sarsfields Garry Lennon got his team going again. When McKenna added another two minutes later the gap was down to just four (0-21 to 3-07) it was game on once more, but to their credit the Oisins responded well hitting seven of the next nine points, Brogan O’Connor, Odhran Gillan, Oliver Kearney, Alex O’Boyle and Tosh all getting their names on the scoresheet, while Kevo and O’Maoláin got the two for the visitors, the latter a superb effort from out on the sideline. It looked reasonably comfortable for the home side at this stage, but when McKenna came back with two quick points a little anxiety began to creep in again.
Alex O’Boyle was the man who settled those nerves on 54 minute, the centre forward drilling a low angled shot to the Paddies net after a long free by ‘Tosh’ was broken down by the Sarsfields defence. Four points followed from Niall Magee, ‘Tosh’, Alex O’Boyle, Conor Kerr, but McKenna was still a big danger and he found the net for the second time following a strong run through the centre, and added a point for good measure.
Sarsfields are still seeking their first win of the season but with McKenna back and the two McKernan brothers hopefully joining them soon, they will be a different proposition come championship time.
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