Antrim win league opener but fail to impress against Carlow

Antrim 1-11 Carlow 2-7

ANTRIM hurlers got their National Hurling League campaign off to a winning start at Casement Park on Sunday when they edged out Carlow by the narrowest of margins in low scoring and low quality game.

Last week the Saffrons had lost out to the Leinster men in the Walsh Shield and were determined to make amends this time around, and after a bright opening quarter in which they opened up a six point advantage (the goal coming from midfielder Martin Scullion) they seemed to be on course to achieve their aim with a bit to spare.

However they lost their way as the game progressed and failed to raise a single flag for all of twenty minutes as the play became scrappy and disjointed.

Carlow had closed the gap to four points during this barren spell and after Simon McCrory stretched the Antrim lead to five in the thirty-second minute, the visitors struck for a goal in the thirty-fourth minute through Craig Doyle to trail by just two at the break. (1-6 to 1-4)

After Carlow had closed to a single point in the opening minute of the second-half Antrim hit back with two of their best scores of the game through Simon McCrory and Liam Watson and they again appeared to be gaining and edge.

However in the fiftieth minute the Saffron’s defence parted like the Red Sea and Carlow strolled through for the simplest of goals from Paudie Kehoe to take the lead for the first time in the match.

Antrim levelled with a point from a Neill McManus free and edged ahead before Carlow full-back Shane Kavanagh landed a great long-range free to tie the scores again with seven minutes left for play.

Both teams had chances to edge in front again but were off target before Liam Watson broke the deadlock with just three minutes left for play with a point from a twenty-metre free, a score which was to prove decisive and earned the Saffrons both league points.

Antrim – Chris O’Connell, Barry McFall, Neilly McGarry, Neill McAuley, Arran Graffin, Karl McKeegan, Ciaran Herron (capt), Marin Scullion, Neil McManus, Simon McCrory, Colm McBride, Liam Watson, Shane McNaughton, Tommy McCann, Darren Hamill.

Subs used – Colm McFall and Paddy McGill