Club News

13/04/03 Brian McFall 'man of the match' for Antrim

They say lightening never strikes twice, however Brian McFall did just that when he picked up the man of the match award against Kerry last Sunday afternoon at Austin Stack Park. It was this time last year when he was named man of the match for Antrim when they played an inter-county league game in Casement Park however, this was arguably a far more important performance - if the review 'The Irish News' gave him in Monday's paper is anything to go by.

"McFall's late show wins it" read the headline, with Brian recognised as the major factor in his county's success on the day - in the face of a strong comeback by Kerry in the second half.

Antrim were dominant in the first half and led by eight points when the whistle blew, 2-6 to 0-4, thanks to goals from Paul Close and Brian McFall, who blasted the ball past the Kerry defensive wall, after a foul on himself in the 18th minute.

The second half was a different story however, with Kerry earning 2 goals through Michael Slattery and John Mike Dooley and then they sent over a further 5 unanswered points. With 3 minutes remaining Kerry had created a dramatic turnaround by snatching a 2-13 to 2-12 lead over Antrim.

They hadn't figured on one last twist however, when up stepped Brian McFall (topscoring with 1-4) to equalise for the Saffrons and then 2 minutes into injury time he grabbed the vital winner.

As 'The Irish News' put it:

"Suddenly, the Kerry followers began to find their voice and urged on by the home support the Kingdom came storming back into contention. Kerry began to take over and five points in a row from Liam Boyle, Pat O'Connell, Billy Brick, Michael Slattery and Billy Brick again saw the home side dramatically take a 2-13 to 2-12 lead with three minutes remaining. But Antrim held their nerve and finishing that bit stronger. They equalized through man of the match McFall and then, in an act of larceny, Brian McFall won the match for Antrim in injury time".