27 June 2009
Antrim reached their first Ulster football final since 1970 when they beat Cavan by 0-13 to 1-7 in Saturday evening’s semi-final in Clones.
The Saffrons led by 0-7 to 0-6 up at half-time but it could and should have been a much greater margin had Tomas McCann's goalbound shot not have been saved by Cavan netminder James Reilly.
The Antrim fans must have been slightly worried when their heroes went in just one ahead after dominating for so long, but those fears were soon laid to rest as their Saffron clad heroes came flying out of the blocks at the start of the second half.
Five unanswered scores put them back in command but just when it appeared they were home and hosed Cavan got back into the game with a scrambled goal from substitute David Gibney.
When substitute Reilly cut the gap back to just two there were a few anxious moments for the large band of Antrim fans, but they need not have worried as Liam Bradley’s men regained control and clinched a final spot against All Ireland champions Tyrone with an excelent point from a free by team captain Paddy Cunningham.
Overall a memorable day for all Antrim followers and just reward for Liam Bradley and his hard working team.
ANTRIM ABU
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Antrim scorers: Burke 0-1, T McCann 0-1, M McCann 0-2, O'Neill 0-1, Loughery 0-1, Cunningham 0-4, Burke 0-1, Gallagher 0-1, Crozier 0-1.
Cavan scorers: Johnston 0-4, M Reilly 0-1, Cullivan 0-1, Gibney 1-0, L Reilly 0-1
Antrim: P Graham; C Brady, A McLean, K O'Boyle; T Scullion, J Crozier, J Loughery; M McCann, A Gallagher, T O'Neill, K Brady, N McKeever; P Cunningham, S Burke, T McCann.
Cavan: J Reilly; M Hannon, D Sheridan, M Brides; J McCutcheon, E Keating, P Reilly; N Walsh, C Galligan; S Brady, R Flanagan (capt), C Mackey; M Reilly, R Cullivan, S Johnston.
FROM THE IRISH TIMES
SFC round-up : Antrim’s remarkable journey continued tonight after they defeated Cavan 0-13 to 1-7 to reach the provincial decider for the first time since 1970. With Tyrone waiting in the wings, an Ulster title is assuredly beyond Liam Bradley’s side but try telling that to their delirious supporters.
There was nothing lucky about this result with Antrim by far the better side at Clones and, but for a late David Gibney goal, the contest would have been over well before the final whistle.
Cavan may have got the first point on the board through Seanie Johnston, Cavan’s only threat in the opening stages, but once the Saffron side settled into their stride there was only going to be one winner.
Points from Sean Burke, Tomas McCann and Terry O'Neill helped Antrim assume control and build a lead they would never relinquish.
Burke was on target again after the interval and further scores from Aodhan Gallagher and Justin Crozier extended their advantage to 0-12 to just 0-6. Gibney’s intervention gave his side some hope but Antrim steadied the ship and saw out the game comfortably.
FROM THE RTE WEBSITE
Antrim bridged a 39-year gap to reach the Ulster football final amid joyous scenes at Clones.
Liam Bradley's side gave a performance full of courage and commitment, with bags of skill on show to boot.
They outplayed a disappointing Cavan side for almost the entire contest, but had to hang on in a tense finish after the Breffni men pulled back a late goal.
Saffron supporters remained in the Gerry Arthurs stand, and on the famous Hill, long after their heroes departed the scene, as they celebrated what they hope is a major breakthrough for Antrim football.
Seanie Johnston hit the opening point in the fourth minute, but his attacking colleagues hit a rash of wides in the first 10 minutes.
Once Antrim settled into the game, they displayed more composure, with Sean Burke racing through to punch over a point, and Thomas McCann making ground out on the right before lofting the lead score on 10 minutes.
Johnston popped up at the other end with another score, but a couple of frees were sliced wide by Martin Reilly.
Terry O'Neill, deployed as an extra defender, burst forward to get on the end of a move involving Tony Scullion and Michael McCann and shoot between the posts, and Michael McCann converted the free that made it 0-4 to 0-2.
Antrim had two goal chances - first Kevin Brady sent Sean Burke clear, but his shot lacked conviction and was easily dealt with by James Reilly.
Then Tomas McCann broke clear, but once again Reilly was quickly off his line to deny the corner forward.
The Breffni men had fallen four behind before they finally began to show some conviction late in the half, shooting the last three scores.
Johnson converted a free, before others stepped up, with Martin Reilly and Ray Cullivan hitting the target to leave just one between the sides at the break, Antrim ahead by 0-7 to 0-6.
After the interval, Liam Bradley's side bossed possession against the disjointed Breffni men, and they were given a huge lift when midfielder Aodhan Gallagher powered through the middle to shoot an inspirational point.
That score made it 0-10 to 0-6, and as the game slipped into its final quarter, Cavan were already beginning to look demoralised.
They had failed to score in the second half, and their opponents grew in confidence by the minute.
Now it was double scores, centre back Justin Crozier having pushed up to curl over a point.
But Cavan were given a lifeline when substitute David Givney pounced for a goal in the 58th minute.
Larry Reilly's point narrowed the gap to two, but despite shooting a rash of wides, Antrim held their nerve for a place in the decider against the All-Ireland champions.
HOGAN STAND
http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=113864
IRISH INDO REPORT
http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/oneill-pulls-strings-as-joyful--saffrons-end-39year-wait-1794708.html
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