Category / County

by thesaffrongael

When they last met…a look at the last three Antrim v Offaly games

When they last met….

Saffrons Suffer Offaly Defeat

Allianz National Hurling League

Division 1B

Antrim 0-17 Offaly 2-26

Sunday 9 February

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

by thesaffrongael

Antrim well off the pace as Dublin maintain their 100% record

Leinster Senior Hurling Championship – Round Robin 3

Antrim 0-19 Dublin 3-25

Antrim hurlers were well off the pace when losing to Dublin in Saturday’s Leinster Senior Hurling Championship round 3 game at Corrigan Park, Belfast. There were spells in their previous game against Kilkenny when it appeared the Saffrons were making some progress but this time out they were way off the pace as Dublin dominated from start to finish t win by fifteen points in the end, and it has to be said they were worth every one of the them.

Apart from a brief spell just after half time when the home side hit full forward James McNaghton hit three points in a row, they never really challenged, and to make things even worse their talisman McNaughton received a straight red card which will definitely rule him out of their meeting with Galway in Salthill next weekend, but may even worse could also see him sidelined for the last game of the campaign against Offaly in Tullamore, a game that most likely will determine the destiny of those two sides.

With Keelan Molloy and Conor Johnston missing from the starting line-up Antrim struggled to get anything going, while Dublin sharp from start to finish, their ball winning ability and first touch a world away from the home side. Antrim centre back Conor Boyd gave Antrim an early lead but it was short lived and after Chris Crummey drew the visitors level Sean Currie and John Heatherton put the Dubs two clear inside five minutes.

The gap widened as the game advanced with James McNaughton’s free taking keeping Antrim in touch, but the Dubs had the upper hand and some great finishing by Currie and Cian O’Sullivan pulled them well clear. McNaughton added two more from frees and Ryan McCambridge grabbed a great score from play but they struggled to sustain their brief spells on top. Antrim’s uphill task got a lot steeper when Dublin got through for goals through Cian O’Sullivan and their excellent corner-forward Ronan Hayes and by half time they were 2-14 to 0-7 to the good.

With the fresh breeze at their backs in the second half Antrim made a promising start when McNaughton grabbed the first three points to cut the gap back to ten. However the boys in blue were soon back in full control as Hayes and O’Sullivan sent over points from play. Antrim battled hard but it just wasn’t working for them and each time they managed a score their opponents came back two of their own. A brilliantly taken goal by substitute Fergal Whitely really sealed the deal for visitors.

Thing couldn’t get any worse, or so we thought, but McNaughton’s red card dismissal proved us all wrong at the Dubs maintained the 100% record to all but seal their place in the top three.  

Scorers – Dublin: S Currie 0-12 (8f, 2 65s); C O’Sullivan 1-3; F Whitely 1-1; R Hayes 1-0; C Crummey 0-3; B Hayes, J Hetherton, C Burke, P Doyle, C McHugh, C Currie 0-1 each. Antrim: J McNaughton 0-10 (8f, 1 65); R McCambridge, J McLaughlin 0-2 (1f) each; C Boyd, C McKeown, E Campbell, N Elliott, G Walsh (1f) 0-1 each.

Dublin: E Gibbons 7; J Bellew 7, P Smyth 7, C McHugh 8; P Doyle 8, C Crummey 8, A Dunphy 7; C Burke 7, C Donohue 7; B Hayes 7, C O’Sullivan 8, D Power 7; S Currie 9, J Hetherton 6, R Hayes 7. Subs: P Dunleavy 7 for A Dunphy (26), D Burke 6 for J Hetherton (49), C Currie 7 for C Burke (53), F Whitely 7 for R Hayes (59), J Madden 6 for C Crummey (66).

Antrim: R Elliott 7; S Rooney 7, N O’Connor 7, P Burke 7; J Maskey 6, C Boyd 6, C Bohill 5; E Campbell 5, G Walsh 6; J McLaughlin 5, R McCambridge 6, S Walsh 5; E O’Neill 5, J McNaughton 7, N Elliott 5. Subs: S McKay 5 for S Walsh (HT), C McKeown 6 for E O’Neill (51).

Ref: L Gordon (Galway)

TO SEE MORE PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/ybUw7wFpaPTvbc

by thesaffrongael

Antrim minor hurlers beat Meath to qualify for Leinster B semi-final

Meath 1-19 Antrim 3-23

Antrim Minor Hurlers faced Meath on Saturday in what turned out to be the first round of the Leinster B Championship in Páirc Tailteann Navan.

Both sides were informed the night before that their last Group Game would double up to be the Leinster B Knockout Championship.

Antrim with a slight breeze advantage raced into a 1-04 to 0-00 lead after the opening 8 minutes, the goal coming from Christy Leech.

In the next seven minutes Meath were back in the game out scoring Antrim by 1-03 to 2pts in this period.

The goal coming from a deflection that Antrim Keeper Liam Magee could do nothing about.

In the Final 15 minutes of the half Antrim took complete control and produced some brilliant team play and scores, 3 from from the Cadhan Crawford 3 from James McDonnell & 2 from the impressive centre half back Dylan McNaughton.

The second half was nip and tuck through the first 10 minutes, the breeze had lifted in Meath’s favour but strong defending from Antrim’s full back Conor McCann aided by Paddy Morgan & Aaron Quinn thwarted the danger and Meath were forced to shoot for scores from further out the field.

Daire Jemfrey
Jay McAlonan
Ronan Taylor

Antrim then fired in two goals, one from joint captain Cadhan Crawford which her fired to the top corner of the Meath net and one from vice captain James McDonnell. From then on Antrim were always in control and ran out winners in the end on a scoreline of 3-23 to 1-19.

Although the Leinster A comes to an end these young lads will go all out to try to win the B Competition.

The Opening Game in the A Championship against Offaly with some harsh decisions and a black card at a crucial time will feel like the game that got away from them this year.

They now face Kildare this coming Saturday at 2pm in Dowdallshill in the Leinster B Championship Semi Final

Joint captains Conor McCann and Cadhan Crawford recieve the Ulster Minor Cup from Ulster GAA President Michael Geoghegan after their win over Down back in early March

Saturday’s scorers were

Cadhan Crawford 1-07 4F

James McDonnell 1-04

Christy Leech 1-02

Sean Smyth 0-03

Ronan Taylor 0-03

Dylan McNaughton 0-02

Anthony Cochrane 0-01

Jay McAlonan 0-01

by thesaffrongael

Kikenny start and finish strong to run up a big score against Antrim

Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, Round Two

Antrim 2-12 Kilkenny 2-30

In the end it was a one sided affair with eighteen points separating the sides but the Antrim fans will care to remember the second quarter of the game when Saffrons came from 0-8 to 0-1 behind to lead by 2-08 to 0-13 at half time.

Spirits were high as the teams went to the changing rooms at and for the first ten minutes of the second half they showed well, but the concession of two quick goals turned the game on its head as they appeared to knock the stuffing out of the home side.   

Kilkenny goalkeeper Eoin Murphy gets past the challenge of Antrim’s Conor Johnston

Kilkenny flew from the traps at the start of the game and after Stephen Donnelly hit the first score inside a minute Martin Keoghan, John Donnelly, Fionán Macakessy and Paddy Deegan all picked off points as star-struck Antrim were left chasing shadows. James McNaughton settled things a little with a pointed free but the Leinster champions stretched the lead to 0-8 to 0-01, despite playing against the stiff breeze.

Antrim couldn’t get their hands on the ball but three quick points from James McNaughton, Keelan Molloy and Conall Bohill settled them into the game and suddenly the tide began to turn.

A great pass from Conor Johnston sent James McNaughton away in the left corner and the Shamrocks speedster showed the Cats defence a clean pair of heels before firing past Eoin Murphy in the Kilkenny goal and suddenly the sides were level.

McNaughton seemed set for a second goal soon afterwards but his shot came back of the butt of the post and Murphy got it clear, but Keelan Molloy showed great skill just before the break to squeeze the ball home to complete an eight point turnaround and send the Saffrons in with a one point advantage. (2-08 to 0-13)

Keelan Molloy wheels away in celebration after scoring Antrim’s second goal just before half time

Three Eoin Cody points in reply to one by McNaughton early in the second half saw the visitors open a two point gap. Antrim looked set to take the lead again when Nigel Elliott made a brilliant run from midfield, but Murphy was equal to the shot as he turned it over the bar for a point which tied the scores yet again. The blow that started the Kilkenny avalanche of scores came on 52 minutes when Kilkenny Martin Keoghan disposed ad Antrim defender who was soloing up the field, Keoghan the racing through to fire past the helpless Ryan Elliott in the Antrim goal.

Suddenly from being in a very competitive position it appeared that the rug had been pulled from under the Antrim team and incredibly they went on to add a further 1-13 to a single Antrim point. The Saffrons introduced four of their Under 20 team who had run Dublin close during the week, but to be honest they never really saw the ball as the Kilkenny midfield and half-back line totally dominated possession and with man of the match Eoin Cody leading the charge the Cats pulled away to win by 18 in the end.

Kilkenny corner forward Eoin Cody who gave a great scoring exhibition, ending up with 1-13 to his name

ANTRIM: R Elliott; S Rooney, N O’Connor, P Burke; C Boyd, J Maskey, C Bohill (0-1); E Campbell, G Walsh; K Molloy (1-1), N Elliott (0-1), S Walsh; R McCambridge, J McNaughton (1-9, 0-9f), C Johnston.

Subs: C McKeown for C Johnston (HT), S McKay for R McCambridge (52), J McLaughlin for S Walsh (55), E O’Neill for E Campbell (69), A McGarry for G Walsh (69).

KILKENNY: E Murphy; M Butler (0-1), H Lawlor, T Walsh (0-1); M Carey, R Reid, P Deegan; C Kenny (0-2), J Molloy (0-2); F Mackessy (0-1f), J Donnelly (0-1), B Ryan (0-1); S Donnelly (0-3), M Keoghan (1-2), E Cody (1-13, 1-9f).

Subs: H Shine (0-1) for F Mackessy (40), L Hogan for S Donnelly (64), B Drennan (0-1) for J Donnelly (67), K Doyle for M Carey (67), E Lyng for C Kenny (70).

REFEREE: S Hynes (Galway)

Antrim corner fowrard Ryan McCambridge in action against Kilkenny’s Paddy Deegan

TO SEE MORE PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/DGeNAokcTZEXBd/?invite=9d710dc4-554a-4fb6-aa11-147d18f50ddf

by thesaffrongael

Cats come calling as Antrim face Kilkenny in Corrigan

Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Championship- Round 2

Antrim v Kilkenny

Sunday 27 April at Corrigan Park, Belfast – Throw in: 2pm

Referee: Shane Hynes (Galway)

Brendan McTaggart looks ahead to Sunday’s Leinster Championship game between Antrim and Kilkenny at Corrigan Park.

After the disappointment of last week’s trip to the sunny south-east, Antrim welcome Kilkenny to Corrigan Park on Sunday in search of their first win of the Leinster championship campaign. 

It’s always a huge occasion when the Cat’s come to town and when you throw in a championship match into the mix, Sunday will be no different.  What Antrim hope will be different is the quality of officiating from their contest against Wexford.  When we spoke with Davy Fitzgerald after the game, to say he was irate would be the understatement of the century.  Apoplectic may come closer to best describing the Saffrons Bainisteoir but Antrim’s performance against the ‘Yella Bellies’ while good for long periods, will need serious improving if they are to come close to a Kilkenny side who are on the hunt for major honours.

It’s been 10 years since Liam McCarthy visited the banks of the River Nore, the longest barren spell for the Black and Amber for almost 70 years but they are chasing their sixth Leinster Championship in a row.

Sunday will be the third year in a row Antrim will line up against Kilkenny and they won’t need reminding of those past results…. We’re going to do it anyway.  In 2023, Kilkenny had 17 points to spare while last year the final score read 5-30 to 0-13 in Nolan Park.  The Saffrons bounced back from that game to defeat Wexford in what was a quite brilliant performance – can they bounce back again after last Saturday’s defeat?  That would be a massive ask.

They will be without Niall McKenna again as he continues his recovery from injury while it may come too soon for Conor Johnston.  Seaan Elliott was taken off with a knock picked up against Wexford and Fitzgerald said himself that it wasn’t looking good for him to be ready for Sunday’s game. 

Kilkenny are forced into two changes from their win over Galway seven days ago with Tommy Walsh and Stephen Donnelly coming in for Shane Murphy and Adrian Mullen.  Both men picked up injuries during that game in Nolan Park and they continue to be without the experienced duo of TJ Reid and David Blanchfield.

The 15 that Derek Lyng has chosen still reads like a who’s who of hurling, however.  Huw Lawlor and Richie Reid form the spine of their defence with Mikey Carey and Paddy Deegan making up a strong half back line.  Eoin Cody has shook off the knock picked up against Galway to start in a full forward line that will have Martin Keoghan while Kerry native Fionan Mackessy will line out on the ’45 – a talented hurler and a man that needs no introduction to this group of Antrim players.

Scott Walsh lines out at left half forward
Keelan Molloy starts right half forward
Eoghan Campbell moves to midfield

Against Galway, Kilkenny had 13 different scorers and out of the 3-24 hit, 3-21 came from open play.  Quite an astonishing stat with their goals coming from Adrian Mullen, Martin Keoghan and Eoin Cody as they ran out comfortable winners with 12 points to spare.

For Antrim, they had prolonged periods of being competitive against Wexford at the beginning of each half.  Soon after the restart, just two points separated the sides and Antrim looked to be gaining some momentum, indeed with 12 minutes remaining they trailed by just five points.  Some of their interplay was excellent but the home sides goals proved to be sucker-punches.  Too often, they were on the wrong side of questionable calls from the official as frustration became apparent from the side line. 

The dominance of Lee Chin and Antrim’s inability to curtail his influence will have been a concern for the Saffrons management team as they prepare to come up against a side who are another step up in class.

Antrim continued to battle however, something you would always associate with a Davy Fitzgerald side and they will have to bring those same battling qualities when Kilkenny come calling on Sunday.

The Antrim team to face Kilkenny at Corrigan Park tomorrow