Leinster SHC: Antrim victory relegates Carlow

Leinster Senior Hurling Championship

Antrim 4-22 Carlow 2-22

By David Mohan at Corrigan Park

Two goals each from Conal Cunning and James McNaughton proved the difference as Antrim retained their Leinster SHC status at the expense of Carlow at Corrigan Park.

It was a tense afternoon in Belfast with so much riding on the outcome as for the vanquished, it was the scenario of relegation to the Joe McDonagh Cup and a major setback for hurling in the county.

That fate befell the Barrowsiders who were brighter early on, but a red card for Chris Nolan before the second half began didn't help their cause as Antrim began to find a way to ensure the are in the top tier for a third year.

Carlow enjoyed the better of it early as Martin Kavanagh and Seaan Elliott traded points before they rattled of the next three.

Antrim had the first sight of goal after five minutes when Conal Cunning miscued when attempting a first-time pull, but there was no denying the Dunloy man three minutes later as he was played in by James McNaughton and finished.

Carlow seemed to always have an answer as they gradually opened a gap with a goal three minutes later as the pace of Chris Nolan saw him get clear and finish from an angle.

Nolan, Kavanagh, James Doyle and Conor Kehoe were all finding their range as they made the most of the wind advantage.

Antrim were just not accurate at times, but there was a sense they had the ability to create goals and their second came on 20 minutes as James McNaughton found himself through to finish and bring his side to within two.

A third came four minutes later and from a penalty when Seaan Elliott was bundled over by Paul Doyle for what was deemed a goalscoring opportunity outside the area with Doyle also sin-binned and Cunning finishing the award to bring the game level.

Carlow again replied with three of the next four points as all six starting forwards had now registered, but Antrim finished the half well with a pair of Cunning frees and then Keelan Molloy clipped them into the lead for the first half in stoppage time as Antrim led 3-9 to 1-14.

A coming together just at the short whistle would ultimately lead to a red car for Chris Nolan at the start of the second half as Carlow's task got tougher, but early points from Kavanagh and Conor Kehoe got them ahead.

Antrim began to take charge again with Keelan Molloy, Niall O'Connor and Gerard Walsh finding their range from deep.

The gap was always four three of four as Carlow hung in and there with 15 to play, Ciaran Whelan blocked down O'Connor which would lead to a goal from Kavanagh who squeezed over the line.

But Antrim hit back through Conor Boyd and then a goal of their own as two minutes later, Seaan Elliott teed up McNaughton to crack home.

Carlow kept in touch through Kavanagh, but Antrim were finding the answers as they pulled away and saw it out to retain their status.

Scorers for Antrim: C Cunning 2-7 (1-0 pen, 6fs, 2 65s), J McNaughton 2-3, K Molloy 0-3, N O'Connor 0-2, G Walsh 0-2 (2fs), S Elliott 0-1, P Burke 0-1, N Elliott 0-1, C McCann 0-1, C Boyd 0-1

Scorers for Carlow: M Kavanagh 1-11 (8fs, 2 65s), C Nolan 1-1, J Doyle 0-3, C Kehoe 0-3, JM Nolan 0-1, C Whelan 0-1, J Kavanagh 0-1, K McDonald 0-1

Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Conor Boyd, Rory McCloskey, Paddy Burke; Gerard Walsh, Niall O'Connor, Eoghan Campbell; Michael Bradley, Keelan Molloy; Nigel Elliott, James McNaughton, Niall McKenna; Conal Cunning, Conor McCann, Seaan Elliott.

Subs: Paul Boyle for M Bradley (62), Joseph McLaughlin for C McCann (64), Christy McGarry for S Elliott (70+2), Rian McMullan for N Elliott (70+3), Fred McCurry for J McNaughton (70+4).

Carlow: Brian Tracey; Paul Doyle, Dion Wall, Niall Boland; Jack Kavanagh, Kevin McDonald, Tony Lawlor; Jack McCullagh, Paddy Boland; Chris Nolan, Ciaran Whelan, Martin Kavanagh; Conor Kehoe, John Michael Nolan, James Doyle.

Subs: Fiachra Fitzpatrick for J Kavanagh (47), Donagh Murphy for JM Nolan (65), Richard Coady for C Whelan (70+1).

Referee: James Owens (Wexford).