Division Two Round-up: The fire-power of Brian McFall and a late goal by reserve Darren Quinn edged Antrim to a narrow but deserved win over Meath in yesterday's National Hurling League Division Two Group One qualifier at Casement Park.
McFall tossed over a dozen glorious points while Quinn snatched victory at 1-22 to 5-7 with a 72nd-minute goal that ended the brave challenge of 14-man Meath, who had full back Ray Dorran sent off in the 57th minute.
The hamlet of Ballygalget, on the Ards peninsula, had reason to celebrate Down's Division Two victory in Dr Cullen Park yesterday. Ten of their players began the game and another came on, with the trio of Stephen Clarke and the two Martin Coulters (senior and junior) racking up 1-13 between them.
Goalkeeper Graham Clarke was man of the match with two stunning reflex saves, one in each half.
ANTRIM: Damian Quinn; M Kettle, M McCambridge, J Campbell; M Herron (0-1), K McKeegan, C Herron; C Cunning, R McNaughton; P Richmond, C McGuckian (0-1), L Richmond (0-5); P Close, G O'Kane (0-3), B McFall (0-12, four frees). Subs: P Gillen for McNaughton (46), S Delargy for Close (50), Darren Quinn (1-0) for McGuckian (65).
MEATH: M Gannon; S Wallace, R Dorran, P Gannon; P Roche, C Sheridan, K Dowd; B Perry, D Fegan (1-0); M Cole (2-0), D Dorran (0-1), S Clynch; E Lynam (0-1), N Horan (2-5, 2-4 from frees), P Coone. Subs: C Kenna for Coone (32), K Callaghan for Clynch (48), J Watters for Wallace (65).
Referee: G Devlin (Armagh).
DOWN: G Clarke; J Doherty, E Dorrian, G Clarke; M Pucci, M Coulter snr 0-4 (4f), B Milligan; G Adair, P Monan; G McGrattan 1-1, B Coulter, E Trainor 0-1; M Coulter jnr 0-3 (2f), G Johnson 0-3, S Clarke 1-3 (0-1f). Sub: E Clarke for B Coulter.
CARLOW: F Foley; K Nolan, S Kavanagh, D Shaw; W Hickey, J Hickey, Paddy Coady; S Smithers, K English 0-3; P Kehoe, P Coady 0-6 (3f, 2 line-balls, 1 65), G Doyle; SM Murphy, D Murphy 0-4, B Murphy 0-1. Sub: R Foley for Doyle.
Referee: J Guinan (Kilkenny).
DIVISON 2A
RELEGATION PLAY-OFF,
Kildare 8-16 (B White 2-2, P Brennan 2-1, J Kinlon 2-0, P Reidy and T Carew 1-1 each, A McAndrew 0-3, K Wright, D Harney, T Murphy 0-2 each, K Divilly, S O'Carroll 0-1 each), Longford 3-5 (C Bracken 2-0, E Donnellan 1-0, G Ghee 0-3, S Browne 0-2).
