Tailteann Cup semi-final
Antrim v Laois
Croke Park-2.00pm Sunday
Antrim showed great resilience and fighting spirit as they came from 7 down to pip Fermanagh by three in last weekend’s Tailteann quarter-final at Brewster Park and similar fighting spirit may be required as they face surprise packets Laois in Sunday’s semi-final.
It wasn’t looking good last Saturday evening in Enniskillen as the Saffrons huffed and puffed in a lethargic opening half where they kicked away possession time and again and were hit on the counter-attack by Fermanagh.
At half time it looked over when the Erne County led by seven and had it not been for an excellent save from Mick Byrne the margin could have been greater.
Whatever was said in the Brewster Park dressing rooms certainly worked as Antrim produced a much improved second half with Cathal Hynds goal in the 68th minute and a follow up point from his brother Eoin secured victory for Antrim.
The turnaround started earlier when manager Andy McEntee made a triple substitution with Peter Healey, Dominic McEnhill and Conor hand replacing Declan Lynch, Ryan McQuillan and Colm McLarnon.
Peter Healy made an instant impact, steering a shot over and when Eunan Walsh dropped a ball on top of Ruairi McCann (Aghagallon) and it spilled behind for a 45’ – Michael Byrne clipped over his second of the evening.
A Joe McDade point brought Fermanagh’s lead back to six, but Conor Hand shot over from distance and Dominic McEnhill shot high over the bar.
Hynds’ goal with full time fast approaching brought the loudest cheer of the evening from a relatively small but noisy travelling support who celebrated with their heroes long after the home support had vacated Brewster Park.
The next day Laois faced a fancied Kildare in Tullamore but Enda McNulty’s side proved too good for their division 2 opponents.
Goals from Mark Barry and Evan O’Carroll proved the difference in the end as Laois beat their fellow Leinster opponents 2-11 to 0-12.
The first half was pretty even at O’Connor Park with Kildare leading 0-3 to 0-2 before Barry expertly converted a penalty to give his side the lead after 19 minutes.
The Lillywhites fought back to tie the contest at 0-7 to 1-4 at the halfway stage but it was Laois who pushed on after the break.
Mark Barry, keeper Killian Roche 0-2 f’s and Paul Kingston had them four to the good by the 12th minute though Kildare came back with points from Niall Kelly and Shane Farrell to close the gap to two.
Eamon O’Carroll’s goal in the 57th minute secured victory for McNulty’s men and they are sure to provide Andy McEntee’s side with a stiff test on Sunday but one they are capable of passing.
Both sides appeared at Sunday’s venue at the same stage last year as Antrim ran a strong Meath side to two point while Laois were conceding 8 goals against a Down side that were flying in the other semi-final.
Incidentally the Mourne men are back again in the second semi-final in Sunday’s double header where they are likely to face a much stiffer test than last year against a Sligo side that are flying at present.
Last year’s defeat to Down is unlikely to have any effect on Laois’ performance on Sunday and they will go into their meeting with Antrim buoyed by that excellent win over Kildare and fancying their chances.
Will McEntee stick or twist with his Antrim lineout? At the time of writing no team has been announced but it is my belief that he will start with the majority of the side who have served him well in recent weeks.
Impact from the bench could be a vital factor on the wide open spaces of Croke Park and I believe that the saffron have the panel and superior fitness, pace and skill to see them through to the Tailteann final.