25 March 2013
Carlow 0.13 Antrim 3.14
The bitter cold wind could not in any way disguise the 1st half demolition of Carlow on home turf in Dr Cullen park by a spirited Antrim team who were simply unstoppable for 30 Minutes of Magic. To the handful of hearty Antrim supporters who made the long journey it was a treat to watch a team that seemed to be believing in itself at last.
Antrim started very strongly with a goal from captain Neil McManus after 4 minutes. The traffic was one way in the opening period and the Saffrons has registered 1.7 before the home side got on the board. At half time the score was 2.12 to 0.4 and we knew that the wind had been a big factor. We all wondered had this Antrim team had done enough to keep Carlow at bay in the second half.
This looked like bringing the phrase ‘game of two halves’ to life with Antrim not registering a point in the second half until 23 minutes and only scoring 1.2 in the 34 minutes played. Carlow by contrast
who had only scored 4 points in the first half pushed hard with 9 excellent points to draw close to an Antrim team that on previous occasions may not have been up to the challenge.
It was down to McManus again to steady the Antrim ship with our first point of the half. When Carlow drew to within 7 points a Stephen Beatty goal sealed the win.
The Saffrons held on to take their first points from this Division. There were some gritty performances from a solid half back line while Simon McCrory, Shane McNaughton and Neil McManus stood out as having given their all.
There was not a dirty stroke throughout the game which was played in front of very good natured crowd. Antrim and Carlow are now regular opponents and depending on how results go next weekend we may face each other again to decide who remains in Division 1B next year, and possibly in the Championship too. Oddly enough for two sides closely matched in recent years we have now both inflicted 10 point defeats on the other in 2013.
Easter Sunday sees the Faithful County come to Casement Park and following this win we have nothing to fear.
R McGarry; C McKinley, A Graffin, M McFadden; S McCrory (0-1), N McAuley (0-1), P Shiels; M Donnelly, J McGreevy (0-2); S Beatty (1-0), N McManus (1-6, 5f), E McCloskey (0-3); D McClean, C Carson, S McNaughton (1-1). Subs: T McCloskey for McNaughton, K McKernan for McClean, K B McShane for Donnelly, D Hamill for E McCloskey.
