Tailteann Cup: Antrim edge out Wexford

Tailteann Cup Group Two

Antrim 1-15 Wexford 0-17

By Ronan Fagan at Chadwicks Wexford Park

Antrim have a showdown with Sligo next weekend in a battle for a summit finish in Group Two of the Tailteann Cup after denying Wexford at Chadwicks Wexford Park on Saturday.

An early goal from Ruairí McCann – his third in two games – and points from defenders Declan Lynch and Joseph Finnegan settled Andy McEntee’s men into a 1-2 to 0-3 lead in the 11th minute, which Wexford just couldn’t overturn subsequently.

Antrim and Sligo are now both guaranteed qualification, with their impending duel set to determine which goes straight to the quarter-finals.

Wexford, with a closing group fixture against Tipperary, can now only hope to progress as one of the three third-placed sides with the best record.

Wexford made light of facing the breeze when settling into a 0-2 to 0-0 lead within three minutes courtesy of Darragh Lyons and Páraic Hughes.

But, having beaten Wexford at the same stage last year, Antrim’s intent was clear as full-forward Ruairí McCann, fresh from his double goal blast against Tipperary, gathered a long delivery and outwitted his marker to plunge to the Clonard-end net in the fourth minute (1-0 to 0-2).

Although Seán Nolan levelled from a free, Antrim undermined Wexford’s efforts at containment as visiting defenders Declan Lynch, Joseph Finnegan, Niall Burns and captain Dermot McAleese raised white-flags for a 1-4 to 0-3 lead after 18 minutes.

Wexford lacked real spark, but they had the gap down to 1-6 to 0-7 after 30 minutes as Seán Nolan tagged on three further points (two frees) and Kevin O’Grady also weighed in after a surge from full-back Gavin Sheehan.

But Wexford survived a real scare after a Ryan McQuillan double enhanced Antrim’s position after 34 minutes (1-8 to 0-7).

Indeed, with Antrim ‘keeper Michael Byrne deep in Wexford territory, the Saffrons turned over the home kick-out only for Conor Hand to blast across the face of goal and wide.

Thus Andy McEntee’s men had to settle for a four point advantage at the change-of-ends.

Wexford appeared to be rustling up something when charging back to within 1-10 to 0-12 after 49 minutes having claimed five of the first seven points of the second-half.

Seán Nolan, Mark Rossiter, midfielder Niall Hughes, O’Grady and a second from defender Darragh Lyons added increasing momentum to the home charge while a brace in response from McQuillan kept Antrim ahead.

And Antrim threatened to race away when Patrick McAleer and goalie Michael Byrne chipped in for a 1-12 to 0-12 advantage after 53 minutes – the latter with a ‘45 stemming from Wexford ‘keeper Will Foley intervening when Ruairí McCann boxed into the danger zone.

McQuillan had the gap back out to four points after 56 minutes before Wexford sub Jack Higgins, Seán Nolan (free) and Páraic Hughes gave the locals a fighting chance (1-14 to 0-15).

But Antrim twice went dangerously close to netting telling blows – the Wexford ‘keeper brilliantly denying Marc Jordan minutes before full-back Gavin Sheehan thwarted Ruairí McCann’s bid to touch home a cross from Patrick McBride.

Antrim held out nevertheless, McQuillan’s sixth of the day safeguarding the spoils despite the loss to attacker Conor Hand to a black-card in added-time.

Scorers for Antrim: Ryan McQuillan 0-6 (3fs), Ruairí McCann 1-0, Patrick McAleer 0-3, Declan Lynch, Joseph Finnegan, Niall Burns, Declan McAleese, Cathal Hynds, Michael Byrne (‘45) 0-1 each

Scorers for Wexford: Seán Nolan 0-6 (4fs), Darragh Lyons, Páraic Hughes, Kevin O’Grady, Mark Rossiter (1f) 0-2 each, Niall Hughes, Jack Higgins, Ben Brosnan (f) 0-1 each

Antrim: Michael Byrne; Declan Lynch, Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keenan; Niall Burns, Joseph Finnegan, Dermot McAleese; Patrick McAleer, Cathal Hynds; Conor Hand, Patrick McBride, Ruairí McCann (Creggan); Ryan McQuillan, Ruairí McCann, Marc Jordan.

Subs: Dominic McEnhill for McCann (Creggan) (51), James McDonnell for Keenan (67), Colm McLarnon for McCann (70+4).

Wexford: Will Foley; Dylan Furlong, Gavin Sheehan, Liam O’Connor; Darragh Lyons, Eoin Porter, Glen Malone; Liam Coleman, Niall Hughes; Mark Rossiter, Páraic Hughes, Conor Carty; Seán Nolan, Kevin O’Grady, Eoghan Nolan.

Subs: Jack Higgins for Carty (HT), Conor Kinsella for E. Nolan (45), Graham Staples for Lyons (60), Ben Brosnan for O’Grady (68), Jonathan Bealin for S. Nolan (69).

Referee: David Murnane (Cork).