Main picture – Antrim’s Paddy McBride in action against Offaly’s L Pearson and C Egan during Sunday’s National Football League Division 3 game in Tullamore

Allianz National Football League, Division 3

Offaly 4-19-0-15 Antrim  

Kevin Herron reports from Glenisk O’Connor Park  

Two red cards in the space of six-minutes at the beginning of the second half hamstrung Antrim in their heavy 4-19-0-15 defeat to Offaly at Glenisk O’Connor Park on Sunday afternoon. 

Having initially rallied at the end of the opening period following goals from Shane Tierney and Cillian Bourke- Conor Stewart and Conor Hand both saw reds within eight minutes of the restart and Offaly ran amok with their numerical advantage as Keith O’Neill added two further goals to the numerous points they accumulated by the conclusion.  

Antrim went into the encounter looking to recover from defeat to Fermanagh last time out and there was a late alteration before throw-in as Ryan McQuillan replaced Fionn Nagle in wing half forward.  

Paddy McBride got Antrim off to a perfect start with a two-pointed score and that kept the visitors ahead until the 11th minute.  

In between times Shane Tierney notched up two-points, the first coming from a converted free and the second a fisted point under pressure with Ruairi McCann (mark) and Dominic McEnhill replying on each occasion.  

Dylan Hyland restored parity with a two-pointed free from outside the arc and Antrim faltered in the aftermath.  

The subsequent kick-out from Hylands score went astray and led to a goal chance for Jack Bryant that was partially blocked, but Shane Tierney made no mistake and netted at the second time of asking to give his side a 1-04-0-04 lead.  

Bryant dropped over a point with a further three unanswered giving the hosts a comfortable advantage.  

Two of the three fell to Hyland, kicking a 45′ and a magnificent angled point with Jack Bryant adding a mark in-between.  

After going 15-minutes without a score Conor Hand dropped over a two-pointer from McEnhill’s lay-off, though the Saffrons found themselves further in arrears on the 26th minute.  

Offaly keeper Paddy Dunican lined up a two-pointed shot that dropped and Mick Byrne was unable to clear as Cillian Bourke slammed home to make it 2-08-0-06.  

Bryne prevented Cormac Egan adding a third two minutes later, but the pendulum swung before the interval as Antrim finished strongly.  

Marc Jordan popped over with his back to goal and Dermot McAleese added his sides third two-pointer of the half.  

A Conor Hand point followed with Dominic McEnhill converting successive frees before the whistle to leave the score 2-08-0-12 at the break.  

Any chance of an Antrim fightback was ended within a six-minute period at the beginning of the second period.  

Conor Stewart was dismissed for a high challenge on John Furlong off the ball and in the aftermath of Dylan Hyland swinging over a two-pointer, midfield partner Conor Hand was shown red for an off the ball incident involving Hyland.  

The hosts would make great use of their numerical advantage as the game stretched but initially the Saffrons did well to remain in proceedings.  

Keith O’Neill swung over a free in the aftermath of the second dismissal with Dominic McEnhill replying from the same scenario.  

Antrim almost had a goal back when the ball broke to Marc Jordan and his close-range shot was blocked off the line at the expense of a 45′ by John Furlong with Byrne landing the resulting 45′. 

Offaly kicked the next 2-06 without reply as Stewart and Hands absence was felt. Substitute Nigel Dunne helped himself to three points in the aftermath of replacing Dylan Hyland.  

Keith O’Neill lined up a point and then slotted into the empty net within 60-seconds after Mick Byrne was caught up field and a long ball was played into Dunne and laid off to O’Neill.  

Jordan Hayes, John Furlong, Shane Tierney and Jack Bryant all pointed before O’Neill claimed his second of the half.  

Credit must go to Cathal Flynn who dribbled the ball towards goal and picked out O’Neill.  

Antrim claimed a consolation point through Marc Jordan with Nigel Dunne twice pointing afterwards to seal a comfortable victory for Micky Harte’s charges.  

OFFALY: P Dunican, L Pearson, K Higgins, R Egan, A Bracken, J Hayes (0-1), C Egan, J McEvoy,C Bourke (1-0), J Furlong (0-1), C Flynn, K O’Neill (2-1), D Hyland (0-6, 0-2f, 0-1 45′), J Bryant (0-3,0-1m), S Tierney (1-3, 0-1f). Subs: N Dunne (0-3, 0-1f) for D Hyland (53), C Donoghue for C Bourke (66), S O’Toole-Green for C Egan (67), D McDaid for L Pearson (68), R Gallagher for S Tierney (70+2). 

ANTRIM: M Byrne (0-1 45′), J McDonnell, E Walsh, J McAuley, R Boyle, J Finnegan, D McAleese (0-2), C Stewart, C Hand (0-3), P Finnegan, M Jordan (0-2), R McQuillan, P McBride (0-2), R McCann (0-1m), D McEnhill (0-4,0-1f). Subs: F Nagle for R McQullian (25), P Ferris for J Finnegan (31), J Morgan for R Boyle (62), R Murray for D McEnhill (62), C Higgins for P McBride (69).  

REFEREE: David Murnane (Cork) 

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