03 March 2012
Antrim 2.14 Offaly 1.8
When Tomas McCann scored a remarkable solo goal within 20 seconds of the second half, this game was effectively over. That made the scoreline 2.8 to 0.6 and although Offaly briefly rallied, Antrim outscored the faithful county 0.6 to 1.1 from that point on.
In the first 20 minutes it was genuine end to end stuff, and Offaly showed they certainly were not here to make up numbers. They notched some fine scores in that period but as the game went on Antrim gained a foothold. Some of our scores in the opening quarter were very well worked and often involved runs from deep from the half back line and midfield. With Offaly attempting to erect a defensive wall on their 21, it took long range efforts to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Bam Neeson, Michael Armstrong and Conal Kelly duly obliged.
On a couple of occasions Antrim’s inventive passing created what might have been goal chances but our forwards opted to place the ball over the bar. With about 25 minutes gone another terrific run from Tony Scullion opened up the Offaly defence and Paddy Cunningham made no mistake in slotting away a goal. From then on we never lost the lead.
Antrim’s defence had by now settled into a very tight performance and put in some tackles and hits which watching fans wouldn’t have wanted to be on the end of. Deaglan O’Hagan took up a sweeper role and even found time to set up clubmate Mark Sweeney for a point. With the dismissal of Offaly’s Shane Sullivan on 30 minutes the game was up for the travelling team.
In the second half Antrim won easing up. Offaly’s resistance faded and Anton Sullivan joined his brother on the sideline as they were reduced to 13 men. It was now a case of seeing out time, collecting the win, banking the two points and looking to next weekend.
All in all this was something akin to a professional performance. Antrim’s tackling was strong, the passing accurate, and there was a maturity to the play which was pleasing to the eye of the supporter. The team seems determined to play to potential and the competition for places is ensuring a consistent high standard of performance.
The next home game for our footballers is against Wexford on the 25th March. Over the next two weekends we have trips to Roscommon and Longford. On tonight’s performance there is no reason why those games cannot be faced with optimism.
Three wins from three, the promotion bid is well underway.
ANTRIM – Chris Kerr, Patrick Galalgher, Deaghlan O’Hagan, Mark McAleese, Tony Scullion, Justin Crozier, James Loughrey, Michael McCann, Conal Kelly, Tomas McCann, Kevin Brady, Michael Armstrong, Brian Neeson, Mark Sweeney, Paddy Cunningham.
SUBS – M Johnston for M McAleese; M Magill for K Brady; S Finch for T Scullion; R Murray for B Neeson; A Gallagher for P Cunningham.
OFFALY – A Mulhall, J Galalgher, S Sullivan, K Lynam, B Darby, j Moloney, S Pender, B Connor, N Smith, J Keance, A McNamee, N Dunne, A Sullivan, W Mulhall, K Casey.
Referee – C Brannigan (Down)
