Ulster MFC Quarter-Final
Armagh 2-9 Antrim 0-10
Despite an excellent second half Antrim lost to a Daithi O’Callaghan inspired Armagh in Crossmaglen on Saturday afternoon.
The young Saffrons will reflect on the number of wides they kicked in the opening half when they had the breeze at their backs as Ryan Dynes goal sent the Orchard to the dressing room leading 1-6 to 0-3 at the halfway stage.
Odhran Doherty was Antrim’s only first half scorer, the Portglenone lad converting three first half frees with Odhran Reel, Conal Wilson, Daithi O’Callaghan, Harry Fearon and a couple from Ronan Martin the Armagh first half point scorers.
It was obvious at the half way stage that Antrim would have to show marked improvement in the second half and despite facing the breeze, improve they did.
It was Ronan Reel who extended the Armagh lead with a point, early in the second half but points from Tom Duffin, Cillian Scullion and Odhran Doherty’s fourth pointed free of the evening had the Saffrons daring to believe.
Cormac Scullion added another to leave just two between the sides and the momentum was very much with the visitors before Daithi O’Callaghan grabbed the game by the scruff of the kneck to fire the Orchard back into control.
The mid-field dynamo hit an unanswered 1-2 to put his side in the driving and might have had a second goal but was off target from the penalty spot.
To their credit Antrim fought to the end and kicked the last two points through Joe Logan and a Torin Hodkinson 2 pointer to close the gap to five but that would be as close as they got.
It was a much improved second half from John O’Kane’s side but they will look back on their inaccuracy in the opening half and if they had scored a greater percentage of their opportunities then there would have been little in it in the end.
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