Allianz Hurling League Division 1B

GALWAY 1-19 ANTRIM 1-16

By Declan Rooney at Pearse Stadium

Galway looked to be facing defeat for long periods of this Division 1B opener, but five points in a row in the last seven minutes saw them to a nervy win at Pearse Stadium.

The home side trailed by three points in the final quarter, but points from John Hanbury, Davy Glennon and Cathal Mannion settled Micheal Donoghue’s side who finished strongly to take the win.

A goal from Conor McCann inspired Antrim early in the second-half, while Neil McManus hit 10 points for his side, who can be happy with their display on their return to Division 1B.

After winning the toss and electing to play with the aid of the strong Salthill breeze, Antrim caused huge problems for Galway before the break and only for a goal a minute from the break by debutant Brian Concannon they would have led at half-time.

Seven points from Neil McManus, including two excellent efforts from play, and another two from Nigel Elliott saw Antrim impose themselves on their hosts, although a couple of the five wides they hit in that opening 35 minutes could have been avoided too.

Galway, in their first outing as All-Ireland champions, were applauded on to the pitch by the sizeable Pearse Stadium crowd and a guard of honour from Antrim.

Despite a lack of accuracy in their play they still opened up a 0-6 to 0-2 lead by the 12th minute. Concannon’s work could have led to a goal from Paul Flaherty in the first minute, but a great save from Chris O’Connell denied Flaherty, although Conor Cooney landed the 65 for the opening score.

McManus points levelled matters in the second and sixth minutes, but Joseph Cooney’s point and three Conor Cooney frees put Galway in control.

But with Conor Johnston and Donal McKinley performing well around midfield, where Antrim crowded matters, the Ulster men landed three in a row as McManus and Gerard Walsh scored from play in the 15th and 16th minutes.

McManus and Elliott punished Galway with scores as Antrim took a 0-10 to 0-9 lead in the 31st minute.

But a big hit from Conor Cooney on Paddy Burke forced a turnover in the 34th minute and after the St Thomas’ attacker carried well, he fed Concannon who hit the net from a tight angle to give Galway a 1-9 to 0-11 lad at the break.

Despite that setback and a good Joseph Cooney point to start the second-half, Antrim retook the lead in the 40th minute when Conor McCann’s low shot found its way past James Skehill – perhaps with the aid of a deflection off Daithi Burke.

Another McManus free put Antrim two points clear in the 44th minute, and although Eanna Burke replied, Conor Johnston and Elliott a hit points from play to stretch that advantage to three points.

But Galway came charging back as the prospect of defeat became a reality.

Substitutes Cathal Mannion, John Hanbury and Davy Glennon all hit good scores to go with Joseph Cooney’s effort, while Conor Cooney sealed the win in added-time for the Tribesmen.

**Scorers for Galway: **Conor Cooney 0-6 (4f, 1 ‘65) Brian Concannon 1-1, Joseph Cooney 0-3, Eanna Burke 0-3, Niall Burke 0-1, Paul Flaherty 0-1, Martin Dolphin 0-1, John Hanbury 0-1, Davey Glennon 0-1, Cathal Mannion 0-1.

Scorers for Antrim: Neil McManus 0-10 (7f, 1 ‘65,) Nigel Elliot 0-3, Conor McCann 1-0, Conor Johnston 0-1, Gerard Walsh, David Kearney 0-1.

GALWAY: James Skehill; Matthew Donoghue; Daithi Burke, Jack Grealish; Adrian Tuohey, Martin Dolphin, Aidan Harte; Johnny Coen, Eanna Burke; Niall Burke, Joseph Cooney, Paul Flaherty; Brian Concannon, Conor Cooney, Jason Flynn.

Subs: Cathal Mannion for Concannon (30-32 blood), Seán Loftus for A Harte (HT), Gearóid McInerney for Grealish (41, inj), Cathal Mannion for Flaherty (47), John Hanbury for Donoghue (50), Davey Glennon for Flynn (60).

ANTRIM: Chris O’Connell; Aaron Graffin, John Dillon, David Kearney; Joe Maskey, Matthew Donnelly, Paddy Burke; Conor McKinley, Gerard Walsh; Maoi Connolly, Neil McManus, Nigel Elliott; Conor Johnston, Conor McCann, Donal McKinley.

Subs: James Connelly for Maoi Connolly (27), James McNaughton for Elliott (65), Eoin O’Neill for McKinley (67).

REFEREE: John O’Brien (Laois).