16 January 2011
Ahoghill’s PJ O'Connell proved the Antrim's hero at Mullingar on Sunday when a late scoring burst of 1-4 in the final ten minutes guided the Saffrons to victory over Westemeath in the opening round of the Walsh Cup.
With a largely experimental forward line on show Antrim did well in the opening half and boosted by a goal from newcomer Michael Armstrong they went on to lead by 1-5 to 0-5 at half-time.
Glenarm’s Darren Hamill fired in a second goal for the visitors but Westmeath hit back and goals from Brian Smyth and Alan Devine put the Midlanders in front.
For a time it appeared that all Antrim’s good work would go to waste but the introduction of O’Connell saw the game switch dramatically as the Cloney Gaels man grabbed a goal and four points in an amazing finish to see Antrim through to a semi-final meeting with Dublin on Sunday next.
