National Football League – Division 4

Antrim 0-18 London 1-14

Antrim brought their Division 4 campaign to a spirited conclusion at Erin’s Own Cargin on Sunday, securing a 0-18 to 1-14 victory over London. While the Saffrons held up their end of the bargain by clinching a fourth consecutive win—a feat not achieved by the county in years—results elsewhere ultimately dictated that both sides would remain in the basement division. Despite the mathematical outside chance of promotion hanging in the air at throw-in, the afternoon served as a showcase of Antrim’s growing resilience, even as a late London surge turned a comfortable lead into a frantic defensive stand.

Playing with the advantage of a first-half breeze, the hosts established a firm grip on the proceedings early on. Dominic McEnhill was in inspired form, particularly during a clinical opening quarter where he slotted over two superb two-pointers. Pat Shivers provided the necessary physical presence and accuracy to keep the scoreboard ticking, while Ryan McQuillan was unlucky not to find the net following a desperate block by the London defence. Late addition Niall Burns proved his worth in the middle of the park, showing great composure to navigate crowded areas and fire over crucial scores that ensured Antrim went into the interval with a deserving five-point cushion.

The question on some peoples lips was, would five points be enough given the strength of the breeze as Antrim might have been much further ahead but were guilty of some poor shooting, dad choices and had a couple of goal chances charged down.

The complexion of the game shifted just before the break when London’s Ciaran Diver was shown a red card for an off-the-ball incident involving Kavan Keenan. Despite being a man down, the Exiles emerged for the second half with renewed intensity, immediately chipping away at the lead with a quick-fire two-pointer and a follow-up score. Antrim appeared to steady the ship as the half progressed, utilizing the extra man to stretch the play. Entering the final fifteen minutes, the Saffrons looked to be cruising toward a comfortable finish, having successfully restored and then extended their advantage to six points.

However, the closing stages proved far more nerve-racking than the Toome faithful would have liked. A mistake in the Antrim defence allowed Nathan Feeney to break through for a low-drilled goal past John McNabb, sparking a frantic revival from the visitors. Joe McGill then took charge for the Londoners, landing a pair of two-pointers that narrowed the gap to a single point as the clock ticked into injury time. In a frantic finale, a late point from Ronan Boyle provided the necessary breathing room, allowing the Saffrons to survive the late onslaught and end their season on a high note, even if the ultimate prize of promotion remained just out of reach.

There were a lot of great aerial battles in the middle of the field during the game, which added the the excitemant.

A good end to a season where Antrim recorded four wins on the bounce after losing their opening three games and they will rue their defeat to Tipperary in particular when they lost a man to a Red card just before halftime.

Spare a thought for the gallant Exiles. A win over Antrim would have left them level with Longford and given them promotion on a head to head but it wasn’t to be for either side in a season where they have both performed well after a poor staret to their respective campaigns

ANTRIM: John McNabb; John Morgan, Joseph Finnegan, Kavan Keenan; Eoghan McCabe (C), Peter Healy, Niall Burns; Paddy McAleer, Eunan Walsh; Tiernan McCormack, Ronan Boyle; Ryan McQuillan, Pat Shivers, Dominic McEnhill

SUBS: Adam Loughran on for Ryan McQuillan, Tomas McCann on for Patrick Finnegan, Tom Shivers on for Ronan Boyle, James McAuley on for Peter Healy

Scorers for Antrim: Dominic McEnhill 0-8 (3 2pt f’s 2 1pt Pat Shivers 0-4 (0-2F), Niall Burns 0-3, Tiernan McCormick 0-2, Ryan McQuillan, Ronan Boyle 0-1

LONDON: Andy Walsh; Aidan McLoughlin, Matt Moynihan, Sean O’Donoghue; Conor Goggin, Conal Gallagher, Conor O’Donohue; Liam Gallagher (C), Liam Murphy; Josh Obahor, Shay Rafter, Ciaran Diver; Jim Davis, Joe McGill, Kristian Healy

SUBS: Nathan Feeney on for Nathan McElwaine, Finbar Crowley on for Aidan McLoughlin, Liam Crowley on for Conor Goggin

Scorers for London: Scorers: Joe McGill 0-8 (0-2F, 2xTPF), Nathan Feeney 1-0, Shay Rafter 0-2 (0-1f), Conal Gallagher 0-2, Josh Obahor 0-1, Kristian Healy 0-1

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