Brendan McTaggart previews Antrim’s upcoming hurling league game with Carlow
Antrim’s league goes into its fourth match of the campaign on Sunday with Carlow making their way to Corrigan Park and while it’s not quite ‘win or bust’, it’s certainly a case of the Saffrons needing a win to keep their fate in their own hands.
The journey to date has been less than remarkable, other than a rainy Saturday night in Wexford town where Davy Fitzgerald’s charges where sank by some questionable decisions at the end. Defeats have followed to Clare and Kildare in the weeks since, that performance a couple of weeks ago in St Conleth’s Park certainly leaving a serious sense of dread coming into the second half of the league.
Cormac McFadden returns to goals as Davy maintains his policy of alternating the goalkeers from game to game.
Getting nothing from the Clare game can be forgiven. They are an outfit who have serious aspirations for Liam McCarthy honours never mind league and the second half performance that day should have given anyone a sense of optimism for the Kildare game. A second half blitz that saw the Lilywhites go from two points ahead at half time to 12 inside 10 minutes if the restart.
Antrim never looked like they would make serious inroads into that lead as Kildare showed what a bit of momentum can do for a side in this game. For how poor the Saffrons were that 70 minutes, credit should be given to a brilliant Kildare performance. They were thoroughly deserving of that win and that gives them a serious platform to maintain their Division 1B status for the 2027 season.
It’s a platform that Antrim would do anything to find themselves. With Carlow, Dublin and Down in the three remaining fixtures, three wins may not even be enough. Two will certainly require the Saffron’s needing favours elsewhere. Is this contest all or nothing? Win or bust? Die dog or…. As far as the league campaign goes, it’s a massive game. A return to Corrigan Park and the scene of some helter skelter encounters with the Barrowsiders throughout the years.
Antrim make a few changes to the 15 with Cormac McFadden returning to between the sticks while Eoin McFerran is restored to the defence having missed out on a starting place against Kildare. Keelan Molloy makes a long awaited return to the starting 15 and will line out in midfield with Ryan McCambridge – Domhnall Nugent, Ruairi McCormick and Eoin O’Neill the players to miss out with Nugent and ‘Sammy’ taking their place on the bench.
It’s a starting 15 and an attacking six that looks good on paper. Pace in abundance and can give any team on the island plenty to think about. They’ll need to fire if the Saffrons are to get anything from a Carlow side who have performed well so far.
They faded going down the stretch against Wexford with the yella bellies outscoring them 1-10 to 0-2 in the last 15 minutes. It took Lee Chin coming off the bench to get Wexford out of jail on that occasion a fortnight ago.
Pat Bennett, who was part of the Antrim management team last season, will be plotting the Saffron’s downfall tomorrow when his new team Carlow visit Corrigan Park.
Carlow, who are now managed by Pat Bennett, Davy’s assistant with Antrim last season, have names in their side that we have heard plenty of in the recent past with Marty Kavanagh still his accurate best on frees while Chris and Jon Nolan will need some looking after.
When we travelled to Carlow 12 months ago, it was a tale of two halves. A brilliant free from Gerard Walsh deep in injury time gave the Saffrons a share of the spoils but it was a game that they could well have won having played superbly in the second half.
A week of a break since that Kildare game is hopefully a good thing. Sometimes you want to get out and at it as soon as possible to get a poor performance out of your system but and hopefully Carlow coming to Belfast at a bad time for them. Antrim need to put in a massive performance to salvage their league season, we know they’re capable off it, there is no better time to produce the goods than Corrigan Park against Carlow.
Kildare delivered a clinical performance at Newbridge to leave Antrim still searching for their first win of the National Hurling League Division 1B campaign. Despite traveling south with a sense of optimism that this fixture could provide a turning point for their season, the Saffrons were ultimately outclassed by a home side that seized control during a devastating third-quarter blitz.
The opening half was a tightly contested affair, defined by scoring bursts from both sides. Antrim’s Seaan Elliott and Ryan McCambridge were influential early on, keeping the scoreboard ticking over from both placed balls and open play. However, Kildare showed superior efficiency, particularly through Jack Sheridan (13) and Muiris Curtin (14). While Antrim managed to claw back a deficit with the final three points of the half to trail by just three, Kildare’s ability to find scores from across the pitch—including contributions from defenders like Paul Dolan (5) and Daire Guerin (7)—sent a warning sign of the depth of their threat.
The game was effectively decided in a whirlwind eight-minute spell following the restart. Kildare emerged with renewed intensity, and Muiris Curtin became the architect of Antrim’s downfall. Following the opening goal from James Dolan, full-forward Curtin bagged two spectacular goals, in just over a minute, including a low-driven shot to the corner in the 48th minute that left the visitors reeling. This scoring spree, coupled with accurate frees from Sheridan, saw the Lilywhites pull 14 points clear. The Antrim defence, despite the efforts of Paddy Burke and Niall O’Connor, simply could not contain the wave of Kildare attacks during this decisive period.
To their credit, Antrim dominated the final quarter as they sought to bridge the massive gap. Seaan Elliott continued his prolific form, finishing the day as his side’s primary marksman with scores from frees, 65s, and open play. Late points from Eoin O’Neill and long-range efforts from Elliott showed the Saffrons’ spirit, but the damage had already been done. Kildare’s substitutes, including Conn Kehoe, added late points to ensure there was no way back. As the final whistle blew, Kildare celebrated a comprehensive victory, while Antrim were left to reflect on a difficult afternoon where a breeze at their backs was no match for Kildare’s clinical goal-scoring power.
When they lost out to Wexford and Clare in the opening game the feeling was that things would turn around when they faced what would be classed the lesser teams in the division. They were desperately unlucky against Wexford and should have had two points on the board from that game, but points are going to be hard to come by in their next outings against Carlow and Dublin and survival in Division 1B is going to be hard to achieve.
Kildare Paddy McKenna, Liam O’Reilly, Rian Boran, Dan O’Meara, Paul Dolan, Cian Boran, Daire Guerin, Simon Leacy, Conan Boran, Cathal McCabe, Cathal Dowling, Jack Travers, Jack Sheridan, Muiris Curtin, and Gerry Keegan.
Antrim D. Nugent, N. O’Connor, P. Burke, R. McCormick, S. Rooney, J. Maskey, G. Walsh, R. McCambridge, E. O’Neill, R. Donaghy, S. Elliott, S. Duffin, C. Johnston, J. McNaughton, and C. Cunning.
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Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy
Dunloy booked their place in the senior reserve final on Wednesday evening with a strong performance against Rossa. It was a dominant display from the Cuchullains who made light of the wind in the first half and were relentless throughout.
Ryan Mort top scored for the home side with an impressive 2-12, 1-8 coming from placed balls with both majors coming in the dying moments of the game. Mort gave a flawless display from placed balls while his second goal was one of the highlights of the game in the fading light at Pearse Park.
Liam McEnhill was top of the scoring charts for the Shaws Road men with seven of his final tally of 10 points coming from placed ball but his side got little change from an organised Cuchullains defence. Seaghan Shannon put in a busy performance while Owen May also caught the eye while Gavin McGrath and Corey Walsh worked their socks off for the Jeremiah’s.
Despite playing into the elements, Dunloy made a lightning start to the game and had 1-3 on the board before Rossa and McEnhill opened their scoring. Inside forward Barry McCloskey with the major for Dunloy while Oisin McCamphill and Mort (2) raised the white flags.
The opening quarter belonged to the home side with Mort, Ryan McFarline, Ciaran Elliott and Jack Martin all finding the target with a brace of McEnhill frees the response from the west Belfast side to put 10 between the sides by the half way mark of the half.
Rossa looked to settle into the game with May and McEnhill lively. They fired over seven points in a 10 minute period through McEnhill landing five (4fs), May and Michael Close raising the white flags while Mort and McFarlin landed the response for the Cuchullains in that same period of time.
Five points separated the sides going into the final five minutes of the half but it was as close as Rossa got to the Cuchullains. Barry McCloskey and Mort (free) fired over either side of a Corey Walsh point to leave the half time score 1-14 to 0-11 in the home sides favour.
The second half was largely all one way traffic with the Cuchullains snuffing out any attacking threat Rossa could muster. They hit the opening four points of the half through Mort (3fs) and Gabriel McTaggart with a McEnhill free briefly halting the Cuchullains charge.
Dunloy opened up a 14 point lead going into the final 10 minutes with Mort, McCamphill, McTaggart, Elliott and substitute Anton McGrath all getting in on the scoring act also.
Rossa substitute Jim Reynolds split the posts from wide on the right to reduce the arrears, a quite brilliant score with not much angle to work with but it was the last score the Jeremiah’s would register.
Points from Elliott and McGrath preceded a brace of Mort goals at the death. The first coming after some great play from Eamon Smyth and Ciaran Elliott set him through on goal while his second caught everyone out, including Rossa ‘keeper Michael Armstrong. Stood over a free fully 40 yards from goal, Mort rifled the sliotar to the bottom right hand corner of the net with a thumping drive to cap off an excellent display.
The Cuchullains now face Ballycastle in a fortnights time in the Reserve Final, but their attention turns to the big ball in the meantime with plenty of this squad part of the football side that will line out against Cargin on Saturday evening in the senior championship.
TEAMS
DUNLOY: Eoghan Richmond; Cathair McCloskey, Sean Og Blaney, Reece Cunning; Eamon Smyth, Karl O’Kane, Aaron Crawford; Jack Martin, Ben O’Kane; Oisin McCamphill, Ryan Mort, Ryan McFarline; Ciaran Elliott, Gabriel McTaggart, Barry McCloskey
Subs: Ciaran McQuillan for R Cunning (41); Paudie McGilligan for B McCloskey (41); Conor Mort for A Crawford (49); Anton McGrath for J Martin (49); Francis McMullan for G McTaggart (49
Scorers: R Mort 2-12 (1-8fs); B McCloskey 1-1; C Elliott 0-3; R McFarline 0-3; O McCamphill 0-2; G McTaggart 0-2; A McGrath 0-2; J Martin 0-1; E Smyth 0-1 (1f)
ROSSA: Michael Armstrong; Oisin McVicker, Padraig Moyes, Daire Moriarity; Gavin McGrath, Seaghan Shannon, Niall Devlin; Conor Savage, Conal Shannon; Liam McEnhill, Corey Walsh, Conor Rocks; Owen May, Michael Close, James Close
Subs: Jim Reynolds for C Rocks (HT); Niall May for C Savage (42); Michael Murray for M Close (54)
Scorers: L McEnhill 0-10 (7fs); C Walsh 0-1; O May 0-1; M Close 0-1; J Reynolds 0-1
Referee: Declan McGarry (Loughgiel)
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When James McNaughton found the back of the Offaly net in the 65th minute, it looked like the unthinkable was going to become thinkable. Reduced to 14 men, playing into a gale force wind and trailing by four points at half time, the odds were stacked against the Saffrons but McNaughton’s strike left the minimum between the sides.
As it was, however, it was the last score Antrim would record and Offaly got out of jail. Five points the difference at the end of a pulsating 70 minutes that saw Antrim play with incredible intensity, tactically astute after the early dismissal of Niall O’Connor and a game plan that made little of the conditions that had a massive impact on the game.
On a day that required heroes, Antrim had plenty in a Saffron shirt. Conor Boyd and Joe Maskey excellent in the half back line while Stephen Rooney put in his best performance in the county shirt – highlighted by a quite outstanding block to deny Brian Duignan a certain goal late in the game.
Gerard Walsh excelled in the middle of the park while Scott Walsh and the returning Keelan Molloy was a real thorn in the side of the Faithful County. James McNaughton top scored with 1-8 and another superb performance in attack but it was the concession of first half goals playing with the wind that hurt the Saffrons cause.
Brian Duignan top scored for Offaly with 1-7, his goal coming in the second minute of the game while Charlie Mitchell was always a serious threat. Donal Shirley patrolled as the extra man in defence and played the role to perfection while Dan Ravenhill (penalty) and Killian Sampson scored the other majors – Sampson with the score that would effectively seal the win for Offaly.
Playing with the wind in the first half, Antrim got off to the worse possible start when Duignan found the back of the net. Getting on the end of a cross field ball from Mitchell, Duignan swung his hurl one handed and smashed the sliotar beyond Ryan Elliott.
The Antrim response was swift with Nigel Elliott firing over. It could have been better with half a goal chance but Elliott elected to take his point.
A McNaughton free in the 6th minute brought Antrim to within one point when they were reduced to 14 men. Niall O’Connor was penalised for an off the ball infringement with Charlie Mitchell and referee Michael Kennedy flashed the red card.
Despite the set-back, Antrim responded well. Points from Keelan Molloy and Gerard Walsh either side of a Duignan free brought them level again before the home side were awarded a penalty in the 14th minute. Mitchell fouled in a scramble with Dan Ravenhill expertly finding the back of the net.
Antrim continued to make inroads into the Offaly defence and a brace of McNaughton frees was the Saffrons answer to the Offaly goal but when the home side hit three points unanswered from Dan Ravenhill, Duignan (free) and Shirley, it put four between the sides with a little over 12 minutes of the half remaining.
A quick fire brace from Molloy and a gargantuan point from Paddy Burke was followed by McNaughton’s fourth free of the half to bring the sides level but the home side finished the half strongly.
Points from Shirly and Dan Ravenhill were followed by scores from Duignan (free) and a brace from Mitchell with Gerard Walsh the solitary response from Antrim to leave the half time score 2-9 to 0-11.
It was going to take something special for Antrim to save their McCarthy Cup status such was the standing of the game at half time. McNaughton did manage to score the first point of the second half soon after the restart but a trio of scores from Duignan (two frees) and Dan Bourke put six between the sides. Indeed, were it not for the brilliance of Elliott between the sticks, it would have been more but he deflected Bourke’s effort over the bar.
Scott Walsh and Duignan swapped scores as Offaly maintained their six point advantage but Duignan’s free would be their last score for 20 minutes as Antrim controlled the contest with their running game.
Playing into the wind, they played with precision, pace and power to run at the Offaly defence and while scoring chances were at a premium, Offaly struggled and with every passing minute the Saffrons grew in confidence. A trio of frees from McNaughton came in that space of time with Mitchell splitting the uprights with a brilliant score from under the stand and not much angle to work with.
Antrim were throwing everything at Offaly and with the clock ticking into the final five minutes they finally got a break. McNaughton’s major came after a bit of a scramble but his strike was as sweet as anything seen during the game and gave Mark Troy no chance between the sticks.
The momentum was with the Saffons and when Rooney produced a miracle block moments later to deny Duignan with the goal at his mercy, it looked like the stars were aligninig.
It wasn’t to be however. Offaly’s third goal proved to be a hammer blow and while there’s no disputing the finish by Killian Sampson, Antrim could well be aggrieved by the award of a two man ball and not a free in their favour in the build up to the goal.
Duignan took his tally to 1-7 for the match with his seventh free and while Antrim continued to push, they couldn’t breach the Offaly defence one more time.
A disappointing result at the end of a disappointing campaign but this performance was outstanding. Full of guts, determination and a never-say-die desire that makes this defeat even harder to muster. Offaly maintain their status in the Liam McCarthy as the Joe McDonagh Cup beckons for the Saffrons.
TEAMS
Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Stephen Rooney, Paddy Burke, Niall O’Connor; Conall Bohill, Joe Maskey, Conor Boyd; Gerard Walsh, Eoghan Campbell; Ryan McCambridge, Nigel Elliott, Scott Walsh; Keelan Molloy, Eoin O’Neill, James McNaughton
Subs: Cormac McKeown for R McCambridge (55)
Scorers: J McNaughton 1-8 (8fs); K Molloy 0-3; G Walsh 0-2; P Burke 0-1; N Elliott 0-1; S Walsh 0-1
Offaly: Mark Troy; Ben Conneely, Ciaran Bourke, Sam Bourke; Ross Ravenhill, Donal Shirley, Jason Sampson; Cathal King, Colin Spain; Killian Sampson, Dan Bourke, Oisin Kelly; Dan Ravenhill, Charlie Mitchell, Brian Duignan
Subs: Jack Clancy for D Ravenhill (HT); Eoghan Cahill for J Sampson (64)
Scorers: B Duignan 1-7 (7fs); D Ravenhill 1-2 (1-00 pen); C Mitchell 0-3; K Sampson 1-00; D Shirley 0-2; D Bourke 0-1
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Brendan McTaggart reports from Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore
And the mystery of Antrim’s ‘away day’ blues continue. On an afternoon that promised plenty, it transpired to be a largely forgettable journey to the Faithful County as the Saffrons succumbed to their second defeat of their league campaign.
It was a difficult watch for the vast majority of the 70 plus minutes with Antrim contributing a worrying amount to their own downfall. I didn’t take note of the number of turnovers either forced or unforced but it can’t have made for pretty reading for the Saffrons as Offaly romped to a comfortable and thoroughly deserving win.
Yet, with seven minutes of the first half remaining, the home side led by just two points. Offaly did have the lion’s share of possession and did the majority of the hurling in that opening 20 odd minutes but Antrim were plugging away and Ryan Elliott performing his own heroics between the sticks with two brave, brilliant and bewildering saves. Roy Keane might say that: ‘He’s a keeper, it’s his job’ but Antrim’s netminder produced the unimaginable.
In the seven minutes and a few more of injury time that followed, Offaly hit 1-5 without reply to leave 10 between the sides and another giving Antrim another indication if it were needed, that if you take your eye off the ball at this level, you get punished.
Brian Duignan put in another top performance for Offaly with a near faultless display from frees and open play while Charlie Mitchell was a real handful for the Antrim defence at full forward. The impish abilities of Daniel Bourke were evident throughout while Killian Sampson and Dan Ravenhill’s goals added gloss to the score board.
Defensively, it was a tough for Antrim. They were rocked by the absence of Conall Bohill who was replaced by Joe Maskey in the starting 15 while Gerard Walsh’s game lasted 13 minutes. Offaly’s ability to create space and pull the Antrim defence into places they just didn’t want to go was bewildering. Speed, agility, movement, they had it in spades. Antrim on the other hand looked like a team who were drained of confidence and lost among a swathe of a slick Offaly side who were in no mood to let a stuttering Saffron side off the hook.
James McNaughton continued his good form with nine white flags while Keelan Molloy top scored from open play with three points. Molloy showed glimpses of his mesmeric brilliance but it was all too fleeting as Antrim struggled. Nigel Elliott worked his socks off again along with Joe Maskey but there were too many in Saffron not leaving Tullamore with plus marks as Offaly cruised….
TEAMS
Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Gerard Walsh, Paddy Burke, Declan McCloskey; Scott Walsh, Eoghan Campbell, Joe Maskey; Niall O’Connor, Nigel Elliott; Paul Boyle, Niall McKenna, Keelan Molloy; Seaan Elliott, James McNaughton, Conor Johnston
Subs: Eoin McFerran for G Walsh (13); Ryan McCambridge for N McKenna (HT); Conor Boyd for D McCloskey (HT); Eoin O’Neill for P Boyle (47); Cormac McKeown for C Johnston (62)
Scorers: J McNaughton 0-9 (6fs 1’65); K Molloy 0-3; S Elliott 0-2; S Wlash 0-1; N O’Connor 0-1; J Maskey 0-1
Offaly: Mark Troy; Padraig Cantwell, Ciarán Burke, James Mahon; Ross Ravenhill, Donal Shirley, Jason Sampson; Colin Spain, Cathal King; Oisín Kelly, Daniel Bourke, Killian Sampson; Dan Ravenhill, Charlie Mitchell, Brian Duignan
Subs: Sam Bourke for P Cantwell (17); David Nally for K Sampson (60); David King for J Sampson (62); Luke Watkins for C Spain (64); DJ McLoughlin for D Shirley (68)
Scorers: B Duignan 0-12 (9fs 1’65); K Sampson 1-4; D Ravenhill 1-2 (1f); C Mitchell 0-4; D Bourke 0-1; O Kelly 0-1; R Ravenhill 0-1; S Bourke 0-1
Referee: Seamus Hynes
Johnston major seals Faithful victory for Saffrons
Antrim 3-22 Offaly 2-24
McDonagh Cup
16th April 2022
Brendan McTaggart reports from Corrigan Park, Belfast
Antrim left it late in the day on Saturday afternoon to seal an opening day win in the McDonagh Cup. Conor Johnston’s second goal coming in the fifth minute of injury time proving to be the decisive score as the Saffrons edged past the challenge of Offaly.
To say this was a rollercoaster for 70 minutes would be an understatement. You would think as an Antrim supporter we would get used to this by now but Corrigan Park hosted another intense battle with two sides giving everything they had.
Offaly came with a point to prove and were certainly a different animal from two weeks ago. Antrim exploited gaping holes in their defence in Navan and looked like scoring a goal at every opportunity but Michael Fennelly and his team learned from that 70 minutes. Any sights of Stephen Corcoran’s goals were hard earned or coming through pieces of quality play.
In a bruising encounter, Domhnall Nugent gave everything he had for the Saffrons with he and Joe Maskey shouldering a lot of the heavy hits Offaly could give. Some curious refereeing decisions going against both men or no calls at all being given that left plenty in attendance scratching their head. Conal Cunning was once again mesmeric from frees with eight of his 10 points coming from placed ball while the goals came from the two Conor’s – Johnston and McCann.
Defensively Antrim will be disappointed with the two goals conceded but Paddy Burke shone at half back with Ryan McGarry also having a good game.
Antrim started superbly and scored the opening three points of the game inside the opening four minutes but Offaly were getting joy from utilising short poc-outs and developing chances through the lines. The Saffron’s were slow in responding to Offaly’s game plan in a half that was played largely on the visitors terms. Eoghan Cahill their main scoring threat with the Birr star capable of scoring from anywhere inside 70 yards as his overall performance showed……
TEAMS
Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Ryan McGarry, Gerard Walsh, Stephen Rooney; Paddy Burke, Eoghan Campbell, Scott Walsh; Joe Maskey, Keelan Molloy; Seaan Elliott, Domhnall Nugent, Conor McCann; Conal Cunning, Ciaran Clarke, Conor Johnston
Subs: James McNaughton for K Molloy (HT); Phelim Duffin for S Rooney (56); Matthew Donnelly for S Walsh (61); Daniel McKernan for S Elliott (64); Conal Bohill for D Nugent (68)
Scorers: C Cunning 0-10 (7f’s 1 ’65); C Johnston 2-2; C McCann 1-1; C Clarke 0-3; P Burke 0-2; R McGarry 0-1; K Molloy 0-1; S Elliott 0-1; J McNaughton 0-1
Offaly: Stephen Corcoran; Joey Keenaghan, David King, Padraig Cantwell; Eoghan Parlon, Ben Coneely, Eimhin Kelly; Jack Screeney, Leon Fox; Adrian Cleary, Eoghan Cahill, Brian Duignan; Sean Cleary, Jason Sampson, David Nally
Subs: Luke O’Connor for S Cleary (48); John Murphy for L Fox (52); Killian Sampson for B Duignan (54); Ciaran Burke for E Parlon (63); Paddy Clancy for A Cleary (67)
Scorers: E Cahill 0-15 (11f’s, 1 ’65); D Nally 1-3; J Murphy 1-00; E Kelly 0-1; J Screeney 0-1; A Cleary 0-1; B Duignan 0-1; J Sampson 0-1; L O’Connor 0-1
Referee: Chris Mooney (Dublin)
Job Done. Saffrons Remain in Division One
Allianz Hurling League Division One
Relegation Play Off
Antrim 2-24 Offaly 2-17
Saturday March 26, 2022
Report by Brendan McTaggart
26 March 2022; Keelan Molloy of Antrim celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Relegation Play-off match between Antrim and Offaly at Páirc Tailteann in Navan, Meath.
Relief, elation, euphoria, job done. A mix of emotions at the full time whistle in Pairc Tailteann as Antrim secured their Division One status for 2023. It was the performance Darren Gleeson and his backroom needed to get the result the county yearned and the Saffrons delivered in spades. 10 points the difference and a score line that maybe flattered the Faithful County by the end of the 70 minutes. Conal Cunning top scoring with nine of his 10 points coming from frees as he took over that responsibility from the injured Neil McManus while Ciaran Clarke looked back to his best with 0-4 to his name. James McNaughton and Keelan Molloy with the other majors for the Saffrons as they reaped from their attacking play under the sun in Navan.
Antrim looked like they could score goals at will in the opening half with McNaughton’s 4th minute major settling any nerves in the Saffron camp. Offaly relied on scores from distance with Eoghan Cahill and Jason Sampson the main protagonists and going into the final couple of minutes of the first half, the sides were tied on 1-9 to 0-12.
Antrim finished the half with a saffron coloured flourish however with Clarke and Molloy raising the white flag before Domhnall Nugent and Conal Cunning combined to release Molloy for the Saffrons second major of the game with what was the last action of the opening half.
Offaly rallied at the start of the second half with 1-2 in the opening seven minutes. The Saffrons were reduced to 14 men with Niall O’Connor black carded in an incident that saw Cahill score form a penalty but Antrim regrouped to control the second half.
Defensively they had Offaly’s number with the half back line resolute and helping to create pressure up front by forcing turn overs.
Antrim outscored Offaly five points to one in a 10 minute period that effectively saw them build an unassailable lead. Huge frees from McNaughton and Cunning while Joe Maskey could have easily found the back of the net with his drive in that same period of time while Conor McCann’s 53rd minute point under the old stand at Pairc Tailteann was worthy to grace any pitch in the country.
Cahill’s accuracy from placed ball kept the Faithful County’s hopes alive but another four unanswered points and a brilliant save from Corcoran to deny Cunning a major put Antrim eight ahead with as many minutes remaining on the clock.
Offaly were reduced to 14 men for the last five minutes with Joey Keenaghan receiving a second yellow card and the Saffrons extended their lead to 11 points with Eoin O’Neill and Cunning (two). Antrim’s numerical advantage was gone when O’Connor was sent off in injury time and while Antrim looked home and dry, Offaly and Cahill kept them on edge in injury time. The Offaly talisman firing to the back of the net from a 21 yard free with a vicious drive to beat Ryan Elliott in the Antrim goals.
Antrim responded with Seaan Elliott winning a penalty, Eimhin Kelly black carded for his challenge and while Clarke found the back of the net, he was adjudged to have crossed the 21 before striking and his major was disallowed.
It mattered little however in what was the last action of the game. A third year at the top table of hurling beckons for the Saffrons while Darren Gleeson and his backroom team will turn their attention to another assault on the Joe McDonagh Cup.
TEAMS
Antrim: Ryan Elliott; David Kearney, Gerard Walsh, Stephen Rooney; Paddy Burke, Eoghan Campbell, Joe Maskey; Keelan Molloy, Ryan McGarry; James McNaughton, Domhnall Nugent, Conal Cunning; Conor Johnston, Conor McCann, Ciaran Clarke
Scorers: C Cunning 0-10 (9f); C Clarke 1-4 (1-00 pen); J McNaughton 1-2 (1f 1’65); K Molloy 1-2; E Campbell 0-2; G Walsh 0-1; J Maskey 0-1; C McCann 0-1; E O’Neill 0-1
Offaly: Stephen Corcoran; Jack Screeney, Ben Conneely, Joey Keenaghan; Leon Fox, David King, Killian Sampson; Adrian Cleary, David Nally; Brian Duignan, Jason Sampson, John Murphy; Liam Langton, Eoghan Cahill, Luke O’Connor
Scorers: E Cahill 2-7 (1-4f; 1 ’65); J Sampson 0-3; L O’Connor 0-2; S Corcoran 0-1 (1f); D King 0-1; D Nally 0-1; J Murphy 0-1; P Clancy 0-1
