Ulster MHC semi-final: Antrim 9-17 Armagh 0-3
Armagh not in Saffron class
A GLANCE at the scoreline in this Ulster Minor Hurling Championship semi-final at Casement Park would surely prompt the question… was it really necessary?
A scoreline of 9-17 to 0-3 does nobody a favour and must leave then unfortunate Armagh lads wondering if they are living in the same hurling world as the opposition.
Playing against a higher class does, in certain circumstances, help one’s game – but not when the gap is so wide.
It was Antrim centre-back and captain Ciaran Herron who scored the opening goal from a ‘65’ when he dropping shot was fumbled under the bar.
By half-time Antrim had gone ahead 1-10 to 0-3 and again it took just 90 seconds after the restart for the Armagh defence to cave in again. This time the goal-scorer was Kevin Elliott who unleashed a powerful drive from 25 metres. Armagh’s three first-half points from free pucks weren’t added to during the second half as the Antrim tally constantly mounted.
Gareth Connolly went into the Saffron side at half-time and helped himself to three goals while midfielder Mickey McClements and full-forward Kevin Elliott both hit the net twice as the points also flowed freely from the home sticks.
Antrim finished with 14 players as they had already used up their three substitutes by the time that centreforward Ciaran McLarnon went off injured in the 55th minute.
Antrim: G McGee; C O’Grady, P Martin, J Campbell; D McAuley (0-1), C Herron (1-1), G Cunningham; M McClements (2-1), E Toner; K Grieve (0-4), C McLarnon (0-2), M Scullion (0-1); B Quinn (0-2), K Elliott (2-4), J Martin (0-1). Subs: G Connolly (3-0) for Martin (half-time); M Hamilton for Quinn (35 mins); G Armstrong for C Herron (46 mins).
Armagh: F Donnelly; P Nugent, K Fletcher, N Rafferty; P Quigley (0-1), N Harvey, B Mallon; B McCormack (0-2), S Moore; K McGreevy, C McArdle, M Enright; C Coulter, K McKinney, M Hughes. Subs: M King for Rafferty (37 mins), A Austin for Hughes (44 mins); C Christie for Quigley (47 min). Referee: RA Quinn (Derry)
Ulster MFC first round Down 2-14 Antrim 3-4
Down impress to make last four
DOWN reached the Ulster minor football championship semi-final with a much more impressive victory than the final scoreline suggests over Antrim at Esler Park, Newry yesterday.
Dominating the first half, Down looked to be well in control with midfielders Louis Sloan and Michael Walsh gaining control over Martin McCarey and Barry Niblock.
However some defensive mistakes, particularly by goalkeeper John Sloan, gifted Antrim two first half goals and the ‘keeper, in combination with his two full-backs, gifted them a third goal in the second half.
Antrim played some good football but they really lacked penetration in attack and it was this sector which squandered several good second half chances.
Down were reduced to 14 players 10 minutes into the second half when corner forward Ronan Sexton was sent off for two yellow card offences.
However despite being depleted, Down continued to dominate the game. Antrim too were reduced to 14 players when centre halfforward James Storey went off injured three minutes from time and having already used their three allowed substitutes he could not be replaced.
Down: J Sloan, J Clarke, B Grant, C Murtagh, M Doran, L Doyle, B Kearney, L Sloan, M Walsh (0-2), D McGrady (0-1), B Coulter (1-3), R Murtagh (0-1), G Morgan (0-4), J Fegan (1-2), R Sexton (0-1) Subs: PJ McAlinden for G Morgan, C Boyle for L Doyle.
Antrim: A McLarnon, J McCourt, D Rafferty, S Kelly, P Baird (0-1), B McCann, J McKeever, M McCarey, B Niblock, N Doyle (1-0), J Storey (0-1), K Carey, J McAleese (1- 1), A McMullan (0-1), A Press Subs: A Duggan (1-0) for B Niblock, C Devlin for D Rafferty, G Bell for A McMullan. Ref: Noel Brady (Monaghan).
