Allianz HL D1B: Antrim register vital victory

Allianz Hurling League Division 1B

Antrim 0-25 Carlow 0-12

By Maghnus Dunne at Corrigan Park

A huge victory took place for Antrim in Belfast after they defeated Carlow at Corrigan Park on Sunday afternoon for their first victory this season.

The opening half lived up to the battle that these two have often shown in hurling contests in recent years.

Antrim looked lively in the opening half and Seaan Elliot’s opening strike gave the hosts an early lead. Moments later Jon Nolan had the first goal chance of the affair, but Cormac McFadden was equal to the forward’s thunderous strike.

Martin Kavanagh kept Carlow firmly in the game with a few terrific scores from frees although Seaan Elliot proved his equal tallying four points for Antrim in the first half.

Conor Johnston and Paul Boyle both managed terrific scores from play which lifted the home crowd and the Saffrons found themselves with a four-point advantage on the half hour mark.

Carlow managed to end the half the stronger with a great free from Kevin McDonald ending the first period with just a single point deficit to the Leinster men.

The Dunloy men Elliot and Molloy started off with two big scores for Antrim following the restart as they extend their lead to three points inside the opening four minutes of the second half.

Elliot’s third free of the half gave the hosts a four-score lead, but that was instantly cut to within three after a 65’ from Martin Kavanagh got Carlow's first score of the second half.

Ruairi Donaghy looked to have the opening goal, but his strike just glanced the crossbar and over for a point and Antrim looked to be on closing in on their first victory of the year.

Keelan Molloy’s monstrous effort from inside his on 30-yard line, gave the Corrigan Park crowd another roar in relief as Antrim began to pull away from their opposition.

The hosts went from strength to strength and scores from Conal Cunning, James McNaughton and Elliot helped ensure the much needed victory for the Saffrons.

Davy Fitzgerald’s side earned their first victory of the Division 1B campaign when Stephen Rooney and Morgan Nelson struck first ever league points in the closing stages in Belfast.

Scorers for Antrim: Seaan Elliot 0-8 (5fs, 1 65), Conal Cunning 0-6, Keelan Molloy 0-3, James McNaughton 0-2 (1f), Conor Johnston 0-1, Niall O’Connor 0-1, Ruairi Donaghy 0-1, Stephen Rooney 0-1, Morgan Nelson 0-1, Paul Boyle 0-1

Scorers for Carlow: Martin Kavanagh 0-5 (5fs), Kevin McDonald 0-2 (1f), Paddy Boland 0-1, Jon Nolan 0-1, Chris Nolan 0-1, Jack Treacy 0-1, John Michael Nolan 0-1

Antrim: Cormac McFadden; Stephen Rooney, Niall O’Conner, Paddy Burke; Eoin McFerran, Joe Maskey, Gerard Walsh; Ryan McCambridge, Keelan Molloy; Paul Boyle, Conor Johnston, Ruairi Donaghy; Seán Elliot, James McNaughton, Conal Cunning

Subs: Scott Walsh on for Ein McFerran (51’), Eoin O’Neill on for Paul Boyle (59’), Joseph McLaughlin on for Ruairi Donaghy (63’), Morgan Nelson on for Conor Johnston (69’), Ryan McNulty on for Gerard Walsh (71’).

Carlow: Brian Tracey; Niall Bolger, Dion Wall, Paul Doyle; Fiach O’Toole, Kevin McDonald, Paidi O’Shea; Fiachra Fitzpatrick, Paddy Boland; Chris Nolan, Donagh Murphy, Jon Nolan; Jack Treacy, John Michael Nolan, Martin Kavanagh

Subs: Ted Joyce on for John Michael Nolan (43’), Richard Coady on for Paddy Boland (59’), Kevin Kavanagh on for Donagh Murphy (59’), Eric English on for Paidi O’Shea (67’).

Referee: Shane Hynes (Galway).