Antrim beat London by 1-12 to 0-12 in Division 2A of the Church & General National Football League at Casement Park yesterday after playing second fiddle for over half the match.
It was a deflected goal in the closing minutes that gave Antrim this much-needed victory. London's luck was out as they missed a penalty but played some very attractive football.
Antrim's corner-forward Kevin Madden was man-of-the-match after scoring eight points.
In the 57th minute substitute Kevin Brady had his kick deflected up into the air in the goalmouth and the ball spun into the London net over the head of goalkeeper Dominic Kelly.
Six minutes earlier, London had been awarded a penalty-kick when half-back Tommy Feehan was dragged down in the Antrim box. But Finbar Downey's spot-kick was saved at the post by Donard Shannon.
Barry McDonagh and Dermot Gordon were outstanding in the London full-back line with Gormley, Andrew Carr and Julian Grimes impressive up front.
Antrim: D Shannon; P Mulholland, M Mulholland, L McCurdy; G Adams, T McCrudden (0-1), B Elliott; C Murphy, P McErlean; J Quinn, C McKearney (0-1), J McManus (0-1); K Madden (0-8), A Donnelly, D Gallagher (0-1). Subs: K Brady (1-0) for Quinn 50 mins, R Hamill for McKearney 52 mins.
London: D Kelly; B McDonagh, D Gordon, P Rafter; T Feehan, C Wilson, F Downey; J Gormley (0-1), S O'Brien; N Harrington (0-2), A Dillane (0-3), A Carr; D Gillespie (0-2), J Ryan (0-1), J Grimes (0-3). Subs: P Goggins for Gillespie (half-time).
Referee: R O'Neill (Derry)
