Leinster SHC Qualifying Group: Carlow 2-18 Antrim 1-11
ANTRIM'S hurlers were consigned to the Christy Ring Cup in 2016 when the Saffrons went down by a 10-point margin to Carlow at Netwatch Cullen Park yesterday, in a game full of incident in which both sides ended with 13 men.
The game was held up for 11 minutes on the hour mark as Antrim left full-back Ryan McCambridge suffered concussion following a clash with Carlow’s Edward Coady. An ambulance was directed onto the pitch to take the Antrim player to hospital, while Coady was issued with a straight red card.
While there was also a plethora of yellow cards to go with the four reds, overall this was by no means a dirty game.
There was a lot at stake in the game and Antrim were the early masters but were unable to convert early dominance into scores. They did open up a four-point lead in the 10th minute when left full-forward Conor Johnston put the visitors 1-2 to 0-1 ahead.
The Saffrons’ hopes were also raised when Carlow lost their top forward for a striking offence on an Antrim player after 21 minutes. But, strangely, Antrim then faded, allowing 14-man Carlow take command.
Antrim’s only further score of the half was a pointed free by Ciarán Clarke in the 32nd minute – a vital 22-minute period without raising a flag.
Carlow led 0-8 to 1-3 at half-time and, while Antrim were very much on the front foot early in the second half, they shot some bad wides and the failure to punish Carlow at times when they were enjoying superiority will haunt this Antrim side.
A shrewd home switch, taking Eddie Byrne from centre-forward to full-forward, paid handsome dividends, Byrne causing major problems for the away defence.
The outstanding Seán Murphy also burned the opposition rearguard with his pace, ably assisted in attack by John Michael Nolan and free-taker Paul Coady. Further back, Alan Corcoran, Shane Kavanagh and David English cut off all approaches to their goal, while industrious midfielder Jack Kavanagh scored two superb second half points.
Ciarán Johnston’s dismissal for a second yellow card was a big blow for Antrim. The midfielder was highly influential, while there was further gloom for Kevin Ryan’s side when wing-back Simon McCrory was issued with a straight red card.
John Dillon, Tomás McCann, the bustling Conor Carson, Ciarán Clarke and Conor Johnston were others to shine for the Ulster men, but they could not save the day.
Antrim boss Ryan, who managed Carlow from 2008 to 2012, said his men were “devastated” by the defeat.
The Waterford native said: “We created a lot of chances, but did not take them. It was possible to hope when trailing by five of six points, but when it goes to eight or nine you need goals and we did not look like getting them.”
“There is now an Ulster Championship final in seven weeks’ time for us and the U21 Championship to come.”
Murphy set up Paul Coady for a 51st minute goal as Carlow led 1-14 to 1-6 and, with Antrim losing midfielder Johnston to that second yellow and Simon McCrory to the straight red, there was no way back.
Carlow boss Pat English was understandably delighted. His players had done what they had to do on the day – win the game. English said the players took on board the gravity of the situation, simply stating: “We had to win today and we did.”
MATCH STATS
Carlow: K Kehoe; S Kavanagh, J Rogers, A Corcoran; R Coady, D English, E Coady; D Byrne, J Kavanagh (0-2); Seán Murphy (1-1), E Byrne (0-2), JM Nolan (0-3); Séamus Murphy, M Kavanagh (0-2, 0-2 frees), P Coady (1-7, 0-5 frees); Subs: M Brennan (0-1) for Séamus Murphy (36); G Coady for Nolan (58).
Antrim: C O’Connell; O McFadden (0-1), J Dillon, R McCambridge; S McCrory, T McCann, C McKinley; C Johnston, N McAuley; P Shiels (0-1, 0-1 65), C Carson, D McKernan; C Clarke (0-3, 0-2 frees), C McCann (0-1), C Johnston (1-4, 0-3 frees); Subs: M Bradley (0-1) for Shiels (h-t); M Donnelly for McAuley (h/t); E Campbell for McKernan (51); C Ross for McCambridge (injured) (59).
Referee: C McAllister (Cork).
