Leinster Minor Hurling B Championship semi-final
Antrim 1-21 Kildare 2-12
By Ryan McAfee
Antrim produced a superb second-half fightback to overturn an eight-point half-time deficit and claim a deserved 1-21 to 2-12 win over Kildare in an entertaining encounter in the Leinster Minor B Hurling semi-final at Dowdallshill, Dundalk .
The Saffrons started brightly against the breeze with a point from Cadhan Crawford, but Kildare quickly took control. A high ball into the square from Jack Cahill was misjudged by the Antrim defence and ended up in the net for the opening goal. They nearly had a second minutes later, when a Sean Quigley effort hit the post. That warning wasn’t heeded, and in the 15th minute, a sharp reaction to a breaking ball saw Kildare rifle their second goal into the top corner.
Antrim threatened a response, with Jay McAlonan’s goal attempt well saved and Crawford narrowly missing the rebound. Kildare continued to dominate the middle third and added more points to stretch their lead to 2-5 to 0-3. Eoghan Lyons and Callum Durnin looking dangerous in the half forward line form the Lillywhites. The Saffrons tried to keep in touch, but Kildare pulled further clear and were well worth their 2-9 to 0-7 halftime lead.
Whatever was said in the Antrim dressing room at halftime had an immediate impact as the Saffrons came out with intensity and purpose, hitting five unanswered points through Crawford, (2), McAlonan, James McDonnell and Sean Smyth to get themselves right back in the game. Kildare stopped the rot with a point from a free, but Antrim weren’t done.
Excellent work from Christy Leech set up Crawford for a coolly taken goal that brought the sides level. The momentum had firmly shifted, and Sean Smyth soon put Antrim ahead before James McDonnell extended the lead with a fine score from play.
Kildare struggled to regain their grip around midfield, as Antrim continued to dominate the rucks and breaking ball, with Caolan Wilson taking charge of proceedings in midfield. Antrim added more excellent points, and with the defence standing strong, the Saffrons closed out an impressive comeback to secure the win and set up a final meeting with Wicklow next weekend.
Antrim line up:
1 Liam Magee 2 Aaron Quinn 3 Conor McCann 4 Paddy Morgan 5 Canice McIntosh 6 Dylan McNaughton 7 Eunan Johnston 8 Anthony Cochrane 9 Caolan Wilson (0-1) 10 Ronan Taylor (0-2) 11 Christy Leech 12 James McDonnell (0-3) 13 Sean Smyth (0-4) 14 Jay McAlonan (0-4) 15 Cadhan Crawford (1-6) Subs: Liam Smyth, Daire Jemfry
Kildare line up:
1 Jack O’Dea 2 Cian O’Sullivan 3 Tom Wright 4 Rian Cramer 5 Jack Cahill (1-1) 6 Ciaran Ward 7 Billy Hacket 8 Oisin McAfee 9 Conor Lawless (0-1) 10 Eoghan Lyons (0-3) 11 Calum Durnin (0-4) 12 Luke Cahill (0-1) 13 Sean Maher 14 Darragh Buggle (1-0) 15 Sean Quigley
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