Dr Loftus Cup quarter-final

Antrim 2 – 07  – Kerry 1 -12

Antrim Masters push for a place in the prestigious Dr Loftus Cup semi-finals fell agonisingly  short on Saturday in Tyrellpass when they lost by a couple of points in a cliffhanger of a contest. Kerry were last season’s Dr Loftus Cup runners up, but they needed to call on every ounce of their experience to see off a heroic effort by the Saffron Masters who were well in touch throughout the whole hour of an absorbing end to end battle from the first whistle to the last.

In the end it was the unerring accuracy of the Kingdom legend Sean O’Sullivan who made the difference, his individual contribution of nine points providing the platform for his team.

Antrim captain Colly Connolly won the toss and elected to play with wind advantage in the first half, but it was Kerry who made the brighter start with a goal and two points on the board before the majestic Sean Kelly strode through the heart of the kingdom defence and cooly slotted the ball to the back of the net. This score settled the Saffrons who went on to add a second goal just before half time courtesy of classy Niall Sweeney. In between two superb points from Mark Graham, one from the excellent Kevin McAllister and a brace from the outstanding Michael Herron allowed Antrim to take a marginal one point lead at the half time break.

Facing into the breeze in the second half Antrim needed to maintain a massive work rate to keep in contention as Kerry pushed four points clear at one stage, but the Saffrons never lost belief and points from the excellent Mark Graham and another inspirational score from Micko Herron reduced the deficit to just two points. The game was played right on the edge throughout and threatened to boil over several times, as Antrim pushed Kerry to their absolute limit. Numerous scoring chances presented themselves and three last ditch scoring attempts finished just on the wrong side of the posts, as the Saffrons finished the game on the front foot with most of the possession.

Antrim Masters have been a transformed team this year and the stoney silence in their dressing room after falling just short to an excellent Kerry team told its own story – this was one that got way. Just a bit more composure in front of the posts would have seen Antrim progress, a wide tally of twelve to Kerry’s five over the hour telling its own tale!

Every Antrim player rose to the occasion and were in no way overawed by either their opponents or the occasion, with  impressive performances all over the pitch – a herculean effort from centre half Michael Herron particularly deserving of the Antrim man of the match verdict.

Antrim now join Cork Mayo and Derry in the draw on Monday night in a second tier championship grouping, and with the anticipated return to action of full back Adrian Scullion, Cargin sharpshooter Kieran Close from injury and first choice midfielders Brendan Etherson and Kevin Gallagher, Antrim management and panel can look forward with increasing confidence and reflect with some pride that Antrim Masters have now closed the gap with the top performing counties in this ever growing prestigious competition.

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