Antrim 3 – 8 Carlow 1 – 12

5th June 2018

Antrim Minor Hurlers have qualified for the Leinster championship quarter final vs Dublin after a dogged performance in Abbotstown against Carlow on Saturday. Carlow started the game better as they knocked over a couple of points from frees and open play and Antrim stopper Kevin McAuley pulled off several goal stopping saves, including a penalty to keep Antrim in the game. Ryan Hill got the first of Antrim’s scores from a long distance free which helped settle the team and with Dáire Murphy causing the Carlow defence problems, culminating in him getting a well taken goal before half time. That goal really gave the young Saffrons a lift and when team captain Conal Bohill added another after a goalmouth scramble Antrim were well on top as the game neared halftime. An off the ball incident just before the short whistle led to a red card for Carlow player, giving Antrim an extra man as the teams entered the changing rooms at the break with the scores at 2 – 5 to 0 – 6.

The second half saw Carlow begin with the bit between their teeth and they knocked over a couple of points from play and placed balls. Kevin McAuley pulled off a number of top class saves, otherwise Carlow would have been a lot closer to the somewhat sleeping Saffrons. John McAllister woke them up with a well worked point before Dáire Murphy created a great goal chance and buried it form the narrowest of angles to push Antrim further ahead. Carlow fought for every ball and closed the gap with a couple of points before Caolan Crossan knocked over a point coming into the closing stages of the game. With Antrim four points ahead a direct ball into the Carlow corner forward led to a Carlow goal that Kevin McAuley could do little about. Antrim responded with a free which was well dispatched by the industrious Ryan Hill, before the final whistle which was greeted with a mix of joy and relief.

Antrim now prepare for a quarter final battle vs Dublin on Saturday 16th venue TBC.

Report via saffron Gael