17 April 2014
Antrim U14’s got their season off to a fine start in Clonkill, Co. Westmeath on Saturday. Leinster Council had set Antrim into a group with Kildare and hosts Westmeath although an early start didn’t show in as Antrim swept both teams aside. 22 players from a squad of 38 made their first appearances in an Antrim jersey and done so in impressive fashion.
A bright start against Westmeath aided by a breeze saw Antrim come firing out of the traps to lead 3-09 to 0-00 at half time with Dunloy duo of Seán Elliott and Anton McGrath along Conal McParland in the full forward line were showing no mercy early on. A strong diamond in the centre of the field of Dominic McEnhill, Ryan McGarry, Oliver Breen and Eoghan McMenamin were causing serious problems to the Westmeath team in the opening 25 minutes.
The second half saw a bit of a revival from Westmeath momentarily as they managed to score two goals but the full back line of Ciaran McKendry, Eoin McParland and Ruairi McCollam were largely unchallenged as Ciaran McKeague and Niall McCormick were on hand in the half back line to snuff out most attacks. Oisin Donnelly and Aaron Bradley were introduced at half time and helped increase Antrim’s large lead. Further scores from Patrick Ross and Eunan McAteer seen Antrim finish the game winning by 7-17 to 2-00
Antrim continued their performance against Kildare as they started the previous games and goalkeepers Josef Delargy and John Francis Connelly were comfortable in between the sticks. The strength of the 22 man squad showed as Cormac McFadden, Caolan O’Connor impressed when introduced. Conal Bohill and Aaron Crawford ensured that all players from midfield going forward were scorers on the day. That centre field combination of McEnhill, McGarry, Breen and McMenamin showed their class and athleticism again as Antrim defeated Kildare by 4-20 to 2-04.
With the remaining squad players being provided an opportunity to appear in an Ulster Blitz on 3rd May and the Antrim Cup on 10th May these players are keeping each other on their toes with performances which bodes well for the development of all
