31 January 2013
Antrim hurlers won out tonight in the Walsh Shield final, overcoming Dublin Institute of Technology on a scoreline of 2.21 to 1.10.
The opening half was very tight with the sides trading points for the first 25 minutes. Antrim then began to pull away and scored 4 unaswered points, including a lovely long range effort from Simon McCrory. There followed on the stroke of half time an opportunistic Neil McManus goal following a terrific save from DIT keeper. That made the halftime score 1.9 to 0.5.
The Saffrons started the second half with real purpose and a string of eafrly points and a goal following a fumble from the visiting netminder set the home side on their way.
While the DIT challenge faded in the second half Antrim were still impressive. The defence held solid while some of the scores from range were very well taken. Team captain McManus led the scoring frmo open play and frees.
There will be harder challenges ahead, particularly in Division 1 B of the National League. But this was a very worthwhile work out and polishes off a satisfactory week for Kevin Ryan's charges.
