Antrim 3-15 (24) — 1-05 (8) Wexford
Antrim’s minor footballers made a massive statement on Saturday afternoon, as they brushed aside Wexford with a dominant 16-point victory at the TU Dublin Blanchardstown campus. The Saffron youngsters showed exactly why they are a force to be reckoned with in the Electric Ireland Tier 3 All-Ireland Championship (Seamus Heaney Cup), securing a safe passage into the quarter-finals with a clinical and professional performance.
Clinical Saffrons Take Control
From the throw-in, it was clear that Antrim had arrived with a point to prove. Despite the long journey to the neutral Dublin venue, they settled almost immediately, racing into a 1-02 to 0-00 lead within the first 15 minutes with Shea McFerran causing all sorts of problems at the edge of the square. The Saffron forward line punished every Wexford mistake and kept the scoreboard ticking over with ruthless efficiency.
By the interval, the game was already tilting heavily in Antrim’s favour. The Glensmen had carved open the Wexford defence twice for two vital goals, heading into the dressing rooms with a commanding 2-05 to 0-03 lead.
No Let-Up in the Second Half
Any hopes of a Wexford fight-back were quickly extinguished after the restart. While the Model County managed to find the net once, they were completely overwhelmed by Antrim’s superior fitness and tactical discipline.
Moneyglass lad, Joey Griffin added to Shea McFerran’s double for a third goal with a flurry of points from McFerran, Colm Kane, Dara Campbell showcasing the depth of talent currently emerging from the county.
By the time Referee Ian Howley blew the final whistle, the gap had widened to 16 points, with Antrim finishing on a comprehensive scoreline of 3-15 to 1-05.
Quarter-Final Bound
This victory ensures Antrim’s name is firmly in the hat for the next round, as they continue their pursuit of the Seamus Heaney Cup. On this evidence, few teams will fancy the task of slowing down this high-scoring Saffron side.
The Saffron management team deserve a lot of credit in the manner in which they have stuck to their guns during a difficult Ulster League and Championship campaign where they showed in glimpses just what they are capable of.
None more so than when they travelled to Monaghan and led the Ulster League winners by six early in their Ulster Championship meeting and at the weekend it all came together with this encouraging win.
Antrim are scheduled to face Carlow, who had a big win over Kilkenny, in their quarter-final on Saturday, 16 May.
Antrim: 1. Niall Quinn 2. Cillian McKenna 3. Shea McLernon 4. Bradan O’Donnell 5. Sean McPeake 6. Conor McArt 7. Thomas Douthart 0:01 8. Dara Campbell 0:02 9. Tom Convery 10. Conall Wilson 0:01 11. Dàire Thornbury 0:01 12. Joey Griffin 1:00 13. Colm Kane 0:05 14. Shea McFerran 2:04 15. Tiernan Lee 17. Sionan McCormack 18. Sean McMullan 19. Nathan Burns 0:01 20. Ruairi O’Connell 21. Cillian McDonnell
Management: Donal Laverty, Owen Doherty, Ciaran Browne, Mark Carey, Che Connor.