Club News

27/07/03 Antrim lose out to Wexford in closest of affairs

Antrim lost out to Wexford on Sunday in a match which will definitely rank as their best chance of reaching a semi-final in recent memory.

They put on a fine display against one of the top teams in the country and proved that they can hold their own with the game's superpowers - which makes it all the more disappointing to not come away with a win. The match was definitely the more exciting of the Quarter-Finals played at Croke Park, the Tipperary/Offaly game losing its competitive edge at an early stage.

Despite going in at half-time 5 points up (2-5 to 0-6), after a goal from Colm McGuckian and another courtesy of a fumbled ball from the Wexford keeper into the net, and leading Wexford by 2 points with 10 minutes to go Antrim were edged out thanks largely to goals from Wexford's Paul Codd and Chris 'Hopper’ McGrath. Aidan Delargy was Antrim's most dangerous forward scoring 4 points after his introduction at the expense of Brian McFall. Ciaran Herron, Karl McKeegan, Michael McCambridge and Mickey Kettle were Antrim's shining lights in defence.

The match ended 2-15 2-12.

St. John's and County star Brian McFall had a difficult day at the office, though few could have denied that he tried his heart out, in the face of what appeared to be frustrating play from both Wexford and indeed Antrim. Perhaps it is 'nit-picking' to say it but it appeared as if few balls were sent into his area and when he did get something sent to him he actually did do something productive with them.

Whilst he may not have been firing on all cylinders, scoring just 2 points, he did create Antrim's second goal and came close to scoring a goal himself before half-time - in particular his 1st minute catch and lay off on the edge of the square was as good as any seen in the country this year and it was a tough decision to disallow the goal that followed. Wexford naturally placed heavy emphasis on nullifying Antrim's hottest scorer and accordingly he was picked out of all the forwards for special man-marking treatment.

Given his contribution, and status as highest scorer in the country, it then may have seemed harsh to substitute him early in the second half whilst at the same time retaining the services of Gregory O'Kane, Paddy Richmond and Liam Watson, who were effectively spectators for the entirety of the match.

Regardless, Brian has had another superb year with the county and has continued to inspire the hurling fraternity within the club with his displays at inter-county level and let's not forget that at this stage he is still the highest scorer in the Championship with 5-25 to his credit. The nearest to him, still left in the Championship, is Eoin Kelly of Tipperary with 2-22 so there is a good chance that he will end up as the top scorer.

Hard luck to the County Hurlers! Whilst it will be another long road for them next year hopefully they can go on to better things in the 2004 Championship.

 

		Antrim
		DD. Quinn
M. Kettle		K. Kelly	J. Campbell
M. McCambridge		K. McKeegan	K. Herron
		C. Cunning J. Connolly
L. Watson		C. McGuckian	L. Richmond
G. O'Kane		P. Richmond	B. McFall
(Subs: A. Delargy for B. McFall, M. Molloy for J. Connolly, M Herron for C. Cunning)