Sport

Antrim stage remarkable fightback

NHL DIVISION TWO: ANTRIM 4-16 WEXFORD 4-12 : ANTRIM EMERGED deserving winners from yesterday’s thrilling tie at Casement Park…

Mon Mar 02 2009 - 00:00

NHL DIVISION TWO: ANTRIM 4-16 WEXFORD 4-12: ANTRIM EMERGED deserving winners from yesterday's thrilling tie at Casement Park, despite an early goal-blitz by Wexford.

On four minutes – after PJ O’Connell had netted for the home side – Wexford captain Diarmuid Lyng fired home Wexford’s first goal. The second was due to a mistake by goalkeeper Ryan McGarry, who allowed a long shot by Eoin Quigley to slide off his stick and into the net.

Lyng claimed his second goal after nine minutes, and his hat-trick nine minutes later and, with 18 minutes gone, Wexford were nine ahead – 4-2 to 1-2.

Changes in the home side saw Seán Delargy going from attack to defence and midfield star Paul Shiels adopting a covering role.Johnny Campbell and Neil McAuley switched places in the half-back line and Antrim began to click.

READ MORE

Antrim hit 1-7 – Kieran Kelly netting from a 20-metre free – to their opponents’ four points before half-time to cut the margin to three at the break – 4-6 to 2-9.

Antrim turned in a determined and workmanlike performance in the second half and, when O’Connell hit the Wexford net in the 46th minute, the home side were ahead, 3-13 to 4-9.

David Redmond levelled the argument with a point, but Neil McManus rocketed home Antrims fourth goal from the penalty spot on 48 minutes for a lead Antrim never again relinquished.McManus was brought down in front of goals by Malachy Travers who was yellow-carded.

ANTRIM: R McGarry; K McGourty, N McGarry, C McKinley; C Herron, N McAuley (0-1), J Campbell; B Herron (0-1), P Shiels (0-6, five frees, one 65); K Stewart (0-2), N McManus (1-0, pen), E McCloskey (0-1); PJ OConnell (2-1), K Kelly (1-0, free), S Delargy (0-3). Subs: M Herron (0-1) for McKinley (23 mins); P Richmond for Kelly (30 mins); J Scullion for OConnell (69 mins).

WEXFORD: D Fitzhenry; B O'Leary, R Kehoe, A OConnell; M Jacob, C Kenny, M Travers; C Farrell, D Redmond (0-1); S Banville (0-2), E Quigley (1-1), D Lyng (3-3, 0-2 from frees); S Doyle (0-2), R Jacob (0-2), N Kirwan. Subs: P Arkinson (0-1) for Kirwan (38 mins); J Gahan for Doyle (46 mins); D OConnor for Travers (48 mins, yellow); P Carley for Gahan (65 mins).

Referee: D O'Donovan (Dublin).