08 February 2010
Antrim U.21’s open Shamrock Cup with a win.
Antrim 1-9 Monaghan 1-7 (6/2/10)
Antrim’s under-21 footballers got off to a winning start in the Shamrock Cup on Saturday when they edged out Monaghan in Cloghan. Despite getting the perfect start with an early goal by David Millar, Monaghan were held level at half-time and a goal by Colm Fleming was enough to see Antrim to victory. Colm Fleming, Marc Mc Gowan, Paddy Gallagher, Michael Armstrong, James Laverty and Seán Finch led the way for Antrim, while Millar, Kieran Duffy, Conor Galligan and Christopher McGuinness were prominent for Monaghan.
Monaghan started brightly with a goal by David Millar at the end of a well-worked move, but points by Colm Fleming and Martin Graham and a 20-metre free by Marc McGowan, after a foul on Martin Kelly, brought Antrim level. Monaghan regained the lead thanks to a well-taken point from a difficult angle by Millar, who then swapped points from frees with Fleming, following fouls on Kelly (Antrim) and Keith Hill (Monaghan). Marc Mc Gowan pointed a free for a foul on Fleming, who added his third point with his right foot to edge Antrim in front. Chris McVeigh had a shot saved by Monaghan keeper Emmett McArdle, after the corner-back had been well-placed by Fergal Burke. Monaghan through Millar had the last say of the half when he converted a 20-metre free after Darryl McAlernon touched the ball on the ground. That meant that Millar had hit Monaghan’s entire first-half tally and his side were level at the interval: 1-3 to 0-6.
Kelly (Antrim) got the first point of the second half, but Kieran Duffy provided a quick response for Monaghan with a good point off his left foot. Antrim got what would prove to be a crucial goal in the ninth minute, when Seán Finch combined with Kelly to put Fleming through to fire a low shot beyond McArdle in the Monaghan net. Christopher McGuinness got a point back for Monaghan, before Donal Hahessy and Fleming exchanged points from 20-metre frees, after fouls on Daniel McNally (Monaghan) and Kelly (Antrim). Michael Armstrong restored Antrim’s three-point lead with a minute left, having been set up by Fleming, and although Hill kicked a late point for Monaghan, they couldn’t get the goal they needed to steal a late win.
This was a good win for a hard working Antrim team. While there are some exceptional players in the team it is more of a team effort that is bringing the reward on the pitch. Antrim will face Monaghan again in the first round of the Ulster Championship in March.
Monaghan are away to Down next weekend, with Antrim at home to Tyrone.
Referee: E McConnell (Tyrone).
Antrim P Graham; C McVeigh, P Fitzpatrick, D McAlernon; J Laverty, P Gallagher, S Finch; M McGowan (0-1), M Graham (0-2f); M Kane, F Burke, M Armstrong (0-1); C Fleming (1-4, 0-2f), M Kelly (0-1), E McNeill. Subs: P McCann for Burke (46 mins), B Rushe for McNeill (49).
Monaghan E McArdle; M O’Reilly, D Daly, S Dooney; P Tavey, K Duffy (0-1), C Galligan; G Feely, P O’Hara; D Hughes, C McGuinness (0-1), B McArdle; K Hill (0-1), G McArdle, D Millar (1-3, 0-2f). Subs: F Kelly for Feely (20), C Greenan for Dooney, D Hahessy (0-1f) for B McArdle (both 35), D McNally for O’Hara (47), K Hughes for Tavey (55).
