Antrim produced another disappointing performance as they fell to visitors
Limerick in the Tailteann Cup at a bright and sunny Corrigan Park on Saturday evening.
Following last week’s defeat to Westmeath in Mullingar the Saffrons were expected to overcome the challenge of a Limerick side who gained promotion from division 4 this season but that’s not how it turned out.

The Leesiders got off to the better start with James Naughton and Iain Corbett pointing them two ahead by the 5th minute but Antrim responded and might have had a goal but Ruairi McCann failed to get a touch on a teasing delivery from his Aghagallon colleague, Eunan Walsh,

The Saffrons seemed to be settling nicely into the game however and Conor Hand and James McAuley replied with points to level matters by the 10th minute.

Peter Nash restored the Limerick lead from a close range free before Eunan Walsh hit a tantalising 2 pointer to move the Corrigan Park side 0-4 to 0-3 ahead by the 18th minute.

That would be as good as it got for the home side as Nash equalised from another free and Danny Neville restored the visitors lead before Marc Jordan’s effort came back of the crossbar as Antrim tried to respond.

Gradually the visitors began to get on top as Antrim took the wrong options or were guilty of handling errors or poor choices and Peter Nash and Tadhg O’Siochru moved Jimmy Lee’s side 0-7 to 0-4 ahead with three minutes remaining o the break.

Dominic McEnhill pulled one back following a period of sustained Antrim pressure but the final score of the half would fall to Limerick’s Cillian Fahy who curled over an excellent late effort to leave his side three ahead at the break.

Antrim introduced Conor Stewart for Patrick Finnegan for the second half with Marc Jordan dropping back into defence and Stewart partnering Conor Hand at mid-field for the second half.

It was visitors Limerick who started the newhalf on the front foot however as Jason Hassett finished a great move with a fine 2pointer.

Antrim replied through a Dominic McEnhill double to close the gap to three once more but again Limerick found a response and O’Siochru pointed at the other end.

The visitors were growing in a confidence that the home seemed to lack and they might have had a goal but Emmet Righter stumbled as he was about to race clear and the opportunity went a begging.

Back came the visitors however with Iain Corbett hitting a good point and Dominic McEnhill replying at the other end but the game was slipping away from Andy McEntee’s side and Peter Nash pointed before Emmet Righter took advantage of a misplaced kick out to add another.

It went from bad to worse for the Saffrons when Limerick were awarded a penalty which Iain Corbett converted to move the Leesiders 10 in front at the end of the third quarter and it looked as good as over.

Conor Hand pulled one back for the home side but Limerick were flying and O’Siochru and James Naughton replied at the other end as the visitors confidence grew.

Antrim needed a goal if they were to have any chance of closing the gap but Ruairi McCann had his attempt blocked down before McEnhill sent over a good point as the Saffrons introduced Fionn Magle, Niall Burns and John Morgan.

It was Limerick who continued to create and convert the better chances however and James Naughton added a point with only a couple of minutes remaining.
It was substitute Niall Burns who would eventually create the opening for an Antrim goal when he fired across the danger area and Paddy McBride rose to palm home what proved to be the game’s final score.

The result means that Antrim have lost both of their opening two games in group three and will need to beat London in their final group match in a fortnight’s time to secure a preliminary quarter-final spot.
Limerick will take on Westmeath in their final group fixture in a straight shootout for top spot and a place in the quarter-final.
Antrim: Mick Byrne, Eoghan McCabe, Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keenan, James McAuley, Dermot McAleese, Patrick Finnegan, Conor Hand, Marc Jordan, Ronan Boyle, Adam Loughran, Patrick McBride, Ryan McQuillan, Ruairi McCann, Dominic McEnhill
Subs: Conor Stewart for Patrick Finnegan, Fionn Nagle for McCann, Niall Burns for Adam Loughran John Morgan for Ronan Boyle

Antrim: Mick Byrne, Eoghan McCabe, Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keenan, James McAuley, Dermot McAleese, Patrick Finnegan, Conor Hand, Marc Jordan, Ronan Boyle, Adam Loughran, Patrick McBride, Ryan McQuillan, Ruairi McCann, Dominic McEnhill

Subs: Conor Stewart for Patrick Finnegan, Fionn Nagle for McCann, Niall Burns for Adam Loughran John Morgan for Ronan Boyle

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