Carlow find extra gear to edge past Antrim
CARLOW…………………………………3-22
ANTRIM…………………………………..1-19
PARNELL PARK
CARLOW dug deep at Parnell Park yesterday to claim an extra-time victory in this Leinster U21 Hurling Championship play-off. After points from James McNaughton and Conal Cunning (two) had moved Antrim – playing at this provincial grade for the first time – into an early lead, Carlow fired back through Chris Nolan, corner-back Jamie Wall and Kevin McDonald.
However, thanks to a five-point haul by McNaughton, Antrim brought a 0-8 to 0-7 advantage into the break.
Nolan’s superb goal on 43 minutes edged Carlow in front once again, only for a well-worked Cunning three-pointer to kick-start a dominant spell for the Saffrons.
A Ciaran Whelan major offered renewed vigour to the Carlow challenge, though, and a brace of Nolan stoppage-time frees meant the sides couldn’t be separated at the end of normal time (2-12 to 1-15).
Colm Bonnar’s outfit carried momentum through to the additional periods, as Padraig Hynes’ 1-1 salvo created significant daylight.
Indeed, following additional contributions from Whelan, Aaron Amond and Nolan, Carlow progressed in style to face Dublin in the next phase.
Scorers – Carlow: C Nolan 1-11 (0-9f), C Whelan 1-5 (0-4f), P Hynes 1-2, J Wall, K McDonald, J Nolan, A Amond 0-1 each. Antrim: J McNaughton 0-10 (5f, 2 ’65’), C Cunning 1-3, G Walsh, E O’Neill 0-2 each, K Molloy, E McQuillan 0-1 each.
CARLOW – T Dowling; J Wall, D Tobin, D Connors; A Casey, O Roberts, E Redmond; N Lynam, K McDonald; C Tracey, J Nolan, P Hynes; C Whelan, P Connors, C Nolan. Subs: A Amond for Lynam (48), A Whelan for Tracey (56), G Lawlor for Casey (71), L Galway for Connors (76), E Holland for Hynes (79).
ANTRIM – R Elliott; A Crawford, C McMullan, C Carson; C Boyd, E Smyth, R McGarry; J McNaughton, G Walsh; C McHugh, K Molloy, R McKee; E McQuillan, C Cunning, E O’Neill. Subs: A O’Brien for McKee (h-t), S Walsh for McGarry (49), D Black for McHugh (53), McGarry for McQuillan (61), McKee for Walsh (70).
REF – S Stack (Dublin).