Allianz Hurling League Division 1B
Antrim 1-16 | Dublin 1-31
Dublin made a resounding statement in Belfast on Sunday afternoon, delivering a clinical performance to outclass Antrim while handing out a 15-point beating. After last week’s impressive win over Carlow the Saffron fans were hoping for another good showing, but Dublin were a different class of opponent. From the opening exchanges, the visitors exerted a level of control that left the Saffron faithful fearing a long afternoon. That openinng burst which saw them lead by 0-09 to 0-01 after ten minutes gave the boys in blue complete control of the game, and though the Saffrons competed well for the remainder of the half it was mostly about damage limitation. Keelan Molloy grabbed three superb points and Ruairi Donaghy lifted spirits with neatly taken goal, but the Dubs always had an answer.
Aided by a strong breeze, Dublin stormed into an early lead. The excellent Donal Burke was the orchestrator-in-chief, accounting for nearly half of Dublin’s 20-point first-half haul. His highlight, a monstrous 90-yard free that soared over with room to spare, epitomized Dublin’s efficiency with the elements.
Antrim struggled to find their rhythm in a feisty encounter, though Seáan Elliot provided a reliable outlet. Despite the difficult conditions, the Dunloy man was unerring from placed balls, striking six points to keep the hosts within touching distance.
Dublin’s depth was on full display as Fergal Whitely and late inclusion James Madden added to the tally. However, the home side found a lifeline ten minutes before the break. Ruairi Donaghy flicked the sliotar past Seán Brennan for a goal that ignited the Corrigan Park crowd. A follow-up brace from Keelan Molloy and more accuracy from Elliot briefly cut the gap to six, before Cian O’Sullivan ensured Dublin went into the sheds with a 0-20 to 1-08 lead.
Antrim hoped the wind advantage would favor them in the second period, but those hopes were swiftly extinguished. Chris Crummey found the net shortly after the restart, a blow from which the Saffron County never recovered.
As the wind seemed to die down, so did Antrim’s momentum. Dublin’s defense tightened, and their attack remained relentless. O’Sullivan added three more to his personal tally, while Whitely continued to punish defensive lapses. While James McNaughton and Elliott added late scores for the hosts, the result had long been beyond doubt.
The Saffrons are not in action for another three weeks when they meet old rivals Down in Newry in an Ulster derby.
Allianz Hurling League Division 1B Table
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | Diff | Pts |
| 1 | Clare | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | +62 | 10 |
| 2 | Wexford | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | +13 | 7 |
| 3 | Dublin | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | +27 | 5 |
| 4 | Kildare | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 4 |
| 5 | Carlow | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -26 | 2 |
| 6 | Antrim | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -27 | 2 |
| 7 | Down | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -48 | 0 |
Weekend Results (Round 5)
- Dublin 1-31 | Antrim 1-16
- Carlow 0-18 | Clare 1-28
- Kildare 3-24 | Down 1-23
What this means for Antrim:
With only 2 points from 5 games and a difficult scoring difference, Antrim are now officially in a scrap to avoid the relegation play-off. Their upcoming match against Down (who have a game in hand) will be the deciding factor in who stays up and who faces the drop. However a win over the Ards men may not even be enough as they will need other results to go their way as well if they are to avoid the drop
Scoring & Teams
| Team | Scorers |
| Dublin | D. Burke 0-8 (5f), F. Whitely 0-5, D. Purcell 0-4, C. Crummey 1-1, C. O’Sullivan 0-4, R. Hayes 0-2, J. Madden 0-2, P. Smith 0-1, B. Hayes 0-1, J. Hetherton 0-1, C. Burke 0-1, D. Ó Dúlang 0-1 (1f). |
| Antrim | S. Elliot 0-8 (7f), R. Donaghy 1-1, K. Molloy 0-3, J. McNaughton 0-2 (1f), C. Johnston 0-2. |
Antrim: D. Nugent; S. Rooney, N. O’Connor, P. Burke; E. McFerran, G. Walsh, J. Maskey; R. McCambridge, P. Boyle; K. Molloy, C. Johnston, R. Donaghy; S. Elliot, J. McNaughton, S. Walsh.
Subs used: E. O’Neill, J. McLoskey, S. Duffin, J. McLaughlin.
Dublin: S. Brennan; C. Groarke, P. Smith, E. O’Donnell; A. Dunphy, C. Crummey, C. Burke; B. Hayes, C. Donohoe; F. Whitely, D. Burke, J. Madden; D. Purcell, J. Hetherton, C. O’Sullivan.
Subs used: D. Ó Dúlang, C. McHugh, J. Bellew, C. O Cathsaigh, R. Hayes.
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