As Antrim await the visit of Limerick to Corrigan Park tomorrow (Saturday) for what is a ‘Must win game’ for the Saffrons if they are to maintain interest in the Tailteann Cup, we take a look back at the last time these sides met on the 28th January 2024 and we will be hoping for a similar outcome tomorrow
Allianz NFL Division 3
Limerick 2-7 Antrim 2-14
Antrim got their Allianz NFL Division 3 campaign of to a great start at Rathkeale, Limerick on Sunday with an excellent seven point win over a Limerick side who were playing their football in division 2 last year.
The Saffrons were the better team for most of the game and dominated from early in the contest to lead 1-7 to 0-4 at the halfway stage but were hit by a 1-4 blast from the home side, either side of half time and looked in trouble early in the second half.
Their response was decisive however with a great goal from Creggan’s Ruairi McCann steadying the ship and an excellent exhibition of point taking from Dominic McEnhill would see the Saffrons home comfortably in the end.
The Saffrons were forced into two changes in their starting line-up before throw-in with Colm McLarnon and Cormac McGettigan replacing injured pair, Cathal Hynds and Ruairi McCann of Aghagallon.
Antrim got off to a bright start in Rathkeale with Eoin Hynds pointing them into an early lead and the Saffrons would go onto dominate the early exchanges with goalkeeper, Mick Byrne edging them into a two point lead.
Ian Corbett’s reply for Limerick was quickly cancelled out by the returning Dermot McAleese who captained the side today in the absence of Peter Healy who remains on the Antrim injured list.
Peter Nash briefly closed the gap to two but the visiting Saffrons were growing in confidence and Niall Burns marked his debut with an Antrim point and Dominic McEnhill followed from a free before the impressive Rossa man stroked home a penalty to put Andy McEntee’s side in a strong position.
McEnhill, who was involved in a lot of the Antrim play, added a point and Creggan’s Ruairi McCann got his name on the score-sheet to move the visitors 1-7 to 0-2 ahead.
However, Limerick’s Tommy Childs and Robbie Childs struck late points to close out the scoring in the first half and serve notice that they were still in contention.
That was bourne out as the second half got under way as Aaron Sullivan kicked Limerick’s third point on the bounce on the restart and when Ian Corbett fired home from the penalty spot in the 10th minute it wasn’t looking good for the visitors.
Antrim’s appeals that the Rossa keeper had been fouled in the build-up fell on deaf ears and Antrim had now conceded 1-4 without reply and appeared to have lost control.
They showed tremendous character however as Ruairi McCann kicked a great point, their first for nearly 20 minutes, and Mick Byrne came forward to add another from a 40 meter free as the visitors reacted in the best possible manner.
Dominic McEnhill followed with another and Antrim seemed to have weathered the Limerick storm but were rocked back on their heels again as the hosts struck with their second goal of the game at the other end.
However, Antrim weren’t to be denied, and the key moment came on 57 minutes when Ruairi McCann scored Antrim’s second goal of the day, before the visitors closed out the win by scoring four of the game’s last five points.
Limerick received a setback when Brian O’Sullivan was Black carded and the Saffrons pressed home their advantage as Dominic McEnhill kicked three late points with Ronan Boyle getting his name on the scorecard as Andy McEntee’s side get their Division 3 campaign up and running.
A good win for the Saffrons and while McEntee will surely lament that spell just before and after halftime when his side conceded 1-4, he will be delighted with their response.
Antrim now have home games against Offaly on the 4th February and Down on the 18th and will hope to build on their opening day win and will hopefully have a few of the missing injured back in harness for those games.
Antrim: Mick Byrne, Ronan Boyle, Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keenan, Marc Jordan, Joe Kennedy, Dermot McAleese, Paddy McAleer, Eoin Hynds, Colm McLarnon, Niall Burns, Ruairi McCann (Creggan), Paddy McBride, Cormac McGettigan, Dominic McEnhill.
Subs: Declan Lynch for Dermot McAleese, Conor Hand for Ronan Boyle, Benen Kelly for Paddy McAleer.
Limerick: Aaron O’Sullivan 2. Tony McCarthy 3. Seán O’Dea 4. Brian O’Sullivan 5. Colm McSweeney 6. Robbie Childs 7. Paul Maher 8. Tommie Childs 9. Cathal Downes 10. Iain Corbett (Capt) 11. Emmet Rigter 12. Cillian Fahy 13. Barry Coleman 14. James Naughton 15. Peter Nash
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