A look back at Antrim’s last meeting with the Deise in 2023
Allianz Hurling League, Division One Group B
Waterford 1-22
Antrim 0-17
Sunday 26 February 2023
Brendan McTaggart reports from Fraher Field, Dungarvan.
Antrim put in a much improved performance on Sunday on the south coast against Waterford but the home side finished strong to see off Darren Gleeson’s men. It took the introduction of Deise star Austin Gleeson to ignite Davy Fitgerald’s men with the Mount Sion man landing five points in a 25 minute cameo where he showed his class.
Antrim’s challenge took a massive dent when captain Eoghan Campbell saw red in the 23rd minute for an off the ball incident with Reuben Halloran. The Saffrons were ahead by three at the time and posing plenty of questions of the Waterford defence but the numerical advantage and playing into the wind in the second half took its toll in the end.
Two ahead at half time, Antrim played with more precision and poise in the second half that may have been lacking in previous matches. They managed to stay ahead of the home side for long periods of the second half with Conal Cunning’s frees prevalent but with 10 minutes of the 70 remaining, the home side and Aussie Gleeson found another gear.
The Waterford goal came from the penalty spot early in the second half, ‘keeper Tiarnan Smyth going close to Patrick Curran’s drive while Antrim didnt have the same luck from their penalty awarded late in the game. Gerard Walsh’s effort spectacularly saved by Shaun O’Brien with the sliotar destined for the top corner.
It felt like a turning point at the time. A major then and Antrim could have kicked on, as it was the home side saw off the Antrim challenge….
WATERFORD: Shaun O’Brien; Conor Gleeson, Conor Prunty (0-02), Conor Ryan (0-01); Shane McNulty, Calum Lyons (0-03), Jack Fagan (0-01); Gavin Fives, Paddy Leavey (0-01); Jamie Barron (0-01), Patrick Curran (1-04, 1-00 pen, 0-02 frees), Neil Montgomery (0-01); Jack Prendergast (0-01), DJ Foran (0-01), Reuben Halloran
Subs: Carthach Daly for S McNulty (HT), Austin Gleeson (0-05, 4 frees) for R Halleron (45), Padraig Fitzgerald (0-01) for P Curran (54), Patrick Fitzgerald for N Montgomery (61), Colin Dunford for P Leavey (66)
ANTRIM: Tiernan Smyth; Paddy Burke, Ryan McGarry, Stephen Rooney; Gerard Walsh (0-01 free), Eoghan Campbell, Conal Bohill; Michael Bradley (0-01), Paul Boyle (0-01); Keelan Molloy (0-02), Niall McKenna, Neil McManus; Conal Cunning (0-11, 10 frees), James McNaughton, Seaan Elliott.
Subs: Niall O’Connor (0-01) for C Bohill (33), Eoin O’Neill for S Elliott (HT), Nigel Elliott for N McManus (46), Joe Maskey for P Boyle (57), Rian McMullan for N McKenna (70+3)
REFEREE: Fergal Horgan (Tipperary)
