29 March 2009
Antrim hurlers again struggled to produce any kind of decent form as they stumbled to a two point win over bottom of the table Kerry in Sunday’s Allianz NHL Division Two game at Casement Park on Sunday.
Despite being in command at different stages throughout the game Antrim were never impressive and time and again they let the visitors back into the game with some terrible defensive lapses.
Early goals from Kieran Kelly and Neil McManus in reply to one inside thirty seconds by Kerry’s Pat Flaherty seemed to have set them up for good half-time lead but despite holding an eight point advantage at one stage they conceded a goal to Kerry’s Gary O’Brien just before the break to cut their lead to just three at the interval.
Turning to face a stiff breeze the Saffrons appeared to be in a bit of trouble, but they responded well after the restart and a series of points from top scorer Karl Stewart saw them go seven clear again.
Kerry got back into the game again when right-half forward Colin Harris goaled but when Antrim substitute Joey Scullion whipped a superb ground stroke to the visitors net the worry seemed to be over for the handful of Antrim fans.
Not so however and when Kerry’s full-forward Gary O’Brien pulled a high ball to the net the lead was down to just two points.
It looked like anybody’s game at this stage but the Saffrons survived a nervy last three minutes to collect the league points.