Allianz HL D1B: Dublin storm to victory

Division 1B

Allianz Hurling League Division 1B

Dublin 1-31 Antrim 1-16

By Maghnus Dunne at Corrigan Park, Belfast

Dublin enjoyed a terrific afternoon of hurling in Belfast after they stormed to a huge victory over Antrim in Division 1B on Sunday afternoon.

The opening half saw Dublin nine points to the good as the half-time whistle blew, but after the first few minutes Antrim fans feared the worst.

Donal Burke starred in the first half for the Dubs after striking almost half of their 20-point tally.

Seáan Elliot maintained Antrim’s attacking threat with his impeccable ability to strike a free despite a ferocious wind proving difficult to deal with at times, the Dunloy man tallied six for his side and did well to keep Dublin within their grasp.

The travelling side made full advantage of the wind at their backs and some terrific scores from Burke, in particular a 70-yard free which with the assist of the breeze found the white flag and then some.

Fergal Whitely managed several scores of his own before late addition James Madden fired two scores over from short range as Dublin continued their pursuit of a healthy lead.

Ten minutes before the half, Antrim had hope restored when Ruairi Donaghy managed to flick the sliotar beyond Seán Brennan and the roar from the stands bellowed Antrim into a flurry of scores.

Keelan Molloy pointed a brace of scores and Elliot continued his flawless free-taking excellence with the hosts cutting the deficit to within six points.

Cian O’Sullivan struck the final point of the half, but with the conditions reversing in favour of the hosts the second-half.

Chris Crummey’s goal in the early second half stages ended any hopes of a comeback as the Dubs went from strength to strength and continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over in their favour.

Cian O’Sullivan came out sharp and struck a further three scores accompanied by Whitely who punished Antrim from sloppy play which halted their attack.

Antrim did rattle a few scores from James McNaughton and Seaan Elliot, but it was too much of a gap to close as the wind seemed to evaporate in the second-half of the game.

Dublin look a strong force in Division 1B as they maintain their pursuit of Clare at the summit, meanwhile Antrim know their match-up with Down is a winner takes all scenario in the relegation scrap.

Scorers for Dublin: Donal Burke 0-8 (5fs), Fergal Whitely 0-5, Dara Purcell 0-4, Chris Crummey 1-1, Cian O’Sullivan 0-4, Ronan Hayes 0-2, James Madden 0-2, Paddy Smith 0-1, Brian Hayes 0-1, John Hetherton 0-1, Conor Burke 0-1, Diarmuid Ó Dúlang 0-1 (f).

Scorers for Antrim: Seáan Elliot 0-8 (7fs), Ruairi Donaghy 1-1, Keelan Molloy 0-3, James McNaughton 0-2 (0-1f), Conor Johnston 0-2,

Dublin: Seán Brennan; Conor Groarke, Paddy Smith, Eoghan O’Donnell; Andrew Dunphy, Chris Crummey, Conor Burke; Brian Hayes, Conor Donohoe; Fergal Whitely, Dónal Burke, James Madden; Dara Purcell, John Hetherton, Cian O’Sullivan.

Subs: Diarmuid Ó Dúlang on for John Hetherton (43’), Conor McHugh on for Conor Groarke (43’), John Bellew on for Paddy Smith (58’), Cian O Cathsaigh on for Eoghan O’Donnell (61’) Ronan Hayes on for Cian O’Sullivan (65’).

Antrim: Domhnall Nugent; Stephen Rooney, Niall O’Connor, Paddy Burke; Eoin McFerran, Gerard Walsh, Joe Maskey; Ryan McCambridge, Paul Boyle; Keelan Molloy, Conor Johnston, Ruairi Donaghy; Seáan Elliot, James McNaughton, Scott Walsh.

Subs: Eoin O’Neill on for Scott Walsh (47’), Jack McLoskey on for Seaan Elliot (62’), Sean Duffin on for Paul Boyle (62’), Joseph McLaughlin on for Ryan McCambridge (68’).

Referee: Brian Keon (Galway).