14 June 2009
A goal from corner forward Tomas McCann helped Antrim to a sensational 1-10 to 0-12 win over Donegal in the opening round of the Ulster Senior Football Championship at Ballybofey on Sunday.
Without a championship win over their opponents since 1970, and over any opposition since 2002, Antrim showed great fighting spirit to upset the odds and book a semi-final place against Cavan in Clones on Sunday week.
The pundits (and the bookmakers who had Antrim as 5 to 1 outsiders) had the Saffrons written off going into this game, despite their promotion from Division 4 this season, but under the stewardship of manager Liam Bradley this team have shown great character all season and they did it again on Sunday to turn the tables on their much fancied opponents.
Admittedly they rode their luck at times as Donegal shot wide after wide, but no team every won anything without luck and they fully deserved their hard earned victory.
After leading in the early stages of the game through points from Aodhan Galalgher and Paddy Cunningham Antrim could have fallen behind had it not been for a brilliant save by veteran goalkeeper Sean McGreevy, who unfortunately injured himself in the process and had to retire early.
Donegal drew level by the 13th minute through Rory Kavanagh and Michael Murphy, but Antrim edged clear again with pointed frees from Michael McCann and Paddy Cunningham to open a two point gap again.
However they were pegged back nearing half-time and a late Donegal point gave them a 0-6 to 0-5 advantage at the break.
The home team went two clear early in the second half but Antrim began their fightback and after drawing level Tomas McCann put them back in front with a well taken point.
McCann came close to grabbing a goal when a great run from his Cargin teammate Tony Scullion set him clear in front of goal, but he was denied by a superb block by Donegal defender Michael Maguire who turned the ball away for a ’45’.
A great chance appeared to have gone but McCann made amends soon afterwards, with Scullion again the provider. Scullion’s quickly taken sideline ball put McCann clear after openening the Donegal defence with a powerful run his initial shot was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Paul Durcan. However McCann was not to be denied a second time and he collected the rebound to coolly slot the ball home for the decisive score of the game.
That put Antrim four clear with fourteen minutes left for play but the long suffering Saffron fans had to endure a nervous ending as Donegal mounted attack after attack as the battled to save the game. The home side closed the gap to a single point before Antrim substitute Kevin O’Boyle hit a superb point to ease the pressure.
Donegal did mange to close the gap to the minimum once again but a resolute Antrim defence held on for a memorable win to book a semi-final place against Cavan on Saturday week in Clones.
Donegal: P Durcan, E McGee, N McGee, K Lacey, B Dunnion, K Cassidy, M McGuire, N Gallagher, B Boyle, C Bonner (0-1), M Hegarty, R Kavanagh (0-3), C McFadden (0-2, 2f), M Murphy (0-5, 3f, 1 ‘45’), C Dunne.
C Toye (0-1) for Dunnion (h-t), B Roper for Hegarty (50), D walsh for Dunne (52), F McGlynn for Boyle (59)
Antrim: S McGreevy,C Brady, A McLean, D McCann,T Scullion, J Crozier, J Loughrey, M McCann (0-1, f), A Gallagher (0-1),T O'Neill, K Brady (0-1), N McKeever, P Cunningham (0-4, 3f), S Burke, T McCann (1-2, 0-1 ‘45’).
Subs: K O’Boyle (0-1) for D McCann (49), K Niblock for Burke (50) C Close for Brady (54), B Hasson for McKeever (62)
Referee: P Hughes (Armagh).
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