Tailteann Cup: Antrim stage dramatic comeback

Tailteann Cup Quarter-Final

Antrim 1-11 Fermanagh 0-11

By Gareth Cauldwell at Brewster Park

Antrim produced a stirring fightback as they secured their place in the last four of the Tailteann Cup with a win over Fermanagh in Brewster Park.

That outcome though did not look on the cards as Fermanagh bossed the exchanges in the first half to go in at the break 0-8 to 0-2 ahead.

Indeed, the gap moved out to seven early in the second half but Andy McEntee’s Saffrons then started to gain a foothold in the game as they began to close the gap.

With 68 minutes on the clock they had cut the deficit back to the minimum before the key score of the game arrived. Goalkeeper Michael Byrne, who had drilled over three 45s in the tie, was involved in the attack and he ushered in midfielder Cathal Hynds, who fired low to the net to put Antrim ahead for the first time.

When Eoin Hynds then tagged on a point it wrapped up a memorable three point win for Antrim.

It was the Erne side who were to the fore in the first half with Sean Cassidy opening the scoring from a mark before the same player clipped over a free.

Callum Jones then had a goal chance for the Ernemen but his effort was saved by Byrne although Ultan Kelm knocked over as Fermanagh led 0-3 to 0-0 after 13 minutes.

It took Antrim 15 minutes to notch their first score as Byrne landed his first 45, but Fermanagh’s defence were on top while at the other end of the pitch Kelm and Jones tagged on points to make it 0-5 to 0-1.

Ryan McQuillan registered Antrim’s second point but Fermanagh rattled over three points in the closing five minutes of the half. Declan McCusker clipped over a terrific point from the left and Cassidy and Fionan O’Brien were also on target to leave six in it at the break.

When Ronan McCaffrey accounted for the opening score of the second half for Fermanagh it moved them seven clear and it looked a long way back for the visitors.

However, the Saffrons bench was to go on and have a major impact on proceedings as their replacements hit 0-6 as they started to reel Fermanagh in.

With Antrim beginning to get a grip at midfield, Peter Healy and Byrne knocked over points although Joe McDade responded for Fermanagh who were 0-10 to 0-4 ahead by the 48th minute.

The away side though were now dominating possession and Daniel McNicholl, Dominic McEnhill and Byrne landed points to leave three in it.

Substitute Garvan Jones edged Fermanagh four ahead with 10 minutes to go, but Antrim continued to drive forward and Eoin Hynds, Healy and Patrick McBride pointed to leave the minimum between the sides with 66 minutes on the clock.

Then came Hynds goal to put Antrim ahead before Eoin Hynds rifled over to make it 1-11 to 0-11.

Fermanagh did go in search of a goal late on, but Antrim stood firm as they held on to seal a semi-final berth.

Scorers for Antrim: M Byrne 0-3 (3 45s), C Hynds 1-0, P Healy 0-2, E Hynds 0-2, P McBride 0-1 (f), D McNicholl 0-1, D McEnhill 0-1, R McQuillan 0-1.

Scorers for Fermanagh: S Cassidy 0-3 (1m, 1f), U Kelm 0-2, C Jones 0-1 (f), F O’Brien 0-1, J McDade 0-1, D McCusker 0-1, R McCaffrey 0-1, G Jones 0-1.

Antrim: M Byrne; D Lynch, E Walsh, K Keenan; J McDonnell, J Finnegan, D McAleese; P McAleer, C Hynds; C McLarnon, P McBride, R McCann (Creggan), R McQuillan, R McCann (Aghagallon), M Jordan.

Subs: P Healy for Lynch (43), D McEnhill for McQuillan (43), C Hand for McLarnon (43), E Hynds for P McAleer (49), N Burns for Keenan (70).

Fermanagh: S McNally; L Cullen, C Cullen, J Cassidy; D McCusker, S McGullion, J Largo Elis; B Horan, J McDade; C Jones, C McShea, F O’Brien; U Kelm, R McCaffrey, S Cassidy.

Subs: D McGurn for McGullion (49), G Jones for C Jones (55), C Love for Cassidy (55), T Bogue for Horan (70).

Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry).