25 May 2014
Antrim face Wexford in Leinster quarter final
Antrim hurlers headed once again into the midlands today, this time to face Laois in the final game in the round robin series. Laois have had the upper hand on Antrim recently, winning this year’s league game and last season’s Championship encounter. With both teams unbeaten in the series so far both were keen to maintain the winning habit, and finish top of the group.
Laois were on top in the first half with the reliable Paul Shiels doing much to keep Antrim in the game. The half time score was Laois 0.12, Antrim 0.8.
On the restart the visitors simply took over. Antrim stepped up the pace and with the responsibility for getting scores now being shared throughout the team, the saffron scored 6 in a row to go 2 up. Laois naturally came back into the game, which was played at a high pace and high quality throughout the second half. The big chance for Laois came with a penalty, which was expertly saved by Chris O’Connell. That proved to be the defining moment and from then a point was as close as Laois got to Antrim.
In the end Antrim held out on a scoreline of 0.22 to 0.20 and we now face Wexford in the same venue next Sunday. On the same day Laois will host Galway in a quarter final double header.
So next Sunday, 1st June, can be a milestone day in defining a Saffron Summer. Our footballers travel to Fermanagh for the Ulster Championship opener on the same day the hurlers attempt to reach the Leinster semi final. The clash is a real shame and it seems at this stage it will not be averted. Hopefully both our teams will receive a strong level of support on the day. Oh, what would we give for 2 wins next Sunday?
Today’s team and scorers
Antrim - C O'Connell; A Graffin (0-2), C McKinley, Ciaran Johnson; N McManus, N McAuley, O McFadden; S McCrory, E Campbell (0-1); C Carson, P Shiels (0-9, 8f), C McCann (0-3); C Clarke (0-1), Conor Johnson (0-1), PJ O'Connell (0-4). Subs: B McFall for S McCrory, S McToal for Ciaran Johnson, D Hamill for O McFadden, S McAfee (0-1) for C Clarke, M Donnelly for Conor Johnson.
