When they last met…..
Allianz Hurling League – Division 1B
Antrim 2-18 Carlow 1-21
Sunday 2 March 2025
Brendan McTaggart reports from Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow
It was the late, late show for Antrim on Sunday afternoon but Gerard Walsh’s 75th minute wonder strike ensured the Saffrons fate in Division 1B remains in their own hands.
Standing over the sliotar and a wall of colour in front of him, 35 yards from goal, it was all or nothing for Antrim and Walsh, somehow, managed to find the back of the Carlow net.
Was it a deserved ending? Absolutely. Antrim showed the fight and desire Davy Fitzgerald had called for after recent defeats and but for seven or eight minutes at the end of the first half, they performed more like the Antrim team we have come accustomed to in recent times.
Goal chances came and left before finally finding a way through. On another day, Conor Johnston would be walking off with three goals beside his name. As it was, he hit the bottom of the upright, was felled in the build up to Keelan Molloy’s goal and had a fresh air strike with the goal at his mercy. James McNaughton finished with eight points, six from placed ball and uncharacteristically missed a couple of frees along with a penalty. That being said, McNaughton’s overall contribution was outstanding. His ability to evade challenges and create chances was second to none in an Antrim shirt…..
TEAMS
Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Eoin McFerran, Paddy Burke, Stephen Rooney; Joe Maskey, Eoghan Campbell, Conall Bohill; Niall O’Connor, Gerard Walsh; Ryan McCambridge, Keelan Molloy, Nigel Elliott; Eoin O’Neill, James McNaughton, Conor Johnston
Subs: Cormac McKeown for E O’Neill (32); Joseph McLaughlin for R McCambridge (64)
Scorers: J McNaughton 0-8 (6fs); K Molloy 1-1; G Walsh 1-00 (1-00f); C Johnston 0-2; E Campbell 0-2; E McFerran 0-1; C Bohill 0-1; R McCambridge 0-1; N Elliott 0-1; C McKeown 0-1
Carlow: Brian Tracey; Paidi O’Shea, Dion Wall, Paul Doyle; Fiachra Fitzpatrick, Kevin McDonald, Jack McCullagh; Evan Kealy, Ciaran Whelan; Jon Nolan, Martin Kavanagh, John Doyle; Conor Kehoe, Chris Nolan, James Doyle
Subs: Paddy Boland for J Nolan (54); Ted Joyce for J Doyle (59); Donagh Murphy for C Kehoe (64)
Scorers: M Kavanagh 0-7 (5fs 1’65); C Nolan 1-3; J Doyle 0-3; F Fitzpatrick 0-2; C Whelan 0-2; J Nolan 0-2; C Kehoe 0-1; T Joyce 0-1
Referee: Chris Mooney (Dublin)