Report via TheSaffronGAEL

Antrim record first win of the season over Exiles

Allianz Football League Division Four

Antrim 1-13

London 1-8

Antrim put the disappointment of three consecutive defeats behind them and despite having Paddy McBride sent off following a second yellow card, proved too good in the end for a battling London team who pushed them right to the final whistle.

Antrim showed a number of changes from the side named on Friday with Eamon Hasson coming in for Paddy Nugent in goals, Eunan Walsh for Niall Delargy and Odhran Eastwood making his first appearance of the season for Ruairi McCann who had been named at full-forward

Antrim opened with a Patrick McBride point, but London stormed ahead when the ball broke kindly to David Dunne who fired to the net in the fourth minute.

The Saffron didn’t panic however and were quick to reel in their opponents with Ryan Murray (free) and Marty Johnston levelling matters by the 5th minute and they were looking good at this stage with some excellent link up in their approach play.

Paddy McBride edged the Saffrons ahead and they were nearly in for a goal in the 15th minute when Exiles keeper Gavin McEvoy spilled a 45’ but the ball was scrambled to safety.

London replied through David Dunne to level the contest again but the momentum was very much now with Lenny Harbison’s side who continued to press and again edged ahead through the impressive McBride after Odhran Eastwood did the spade work in the build up to the St. John’s man’s score.

Some of Antrim’s approach play at this stage of the contest was precise and impressive as Colum Duffin set up Matt Fitzpatrick for another point in the 22nd minute. Paddy McBride was at the heart of most of what the home side were doing but he earned himself a silly yellow card for protesting in the 24th minute.

As the Saffrons continued to press Ryan Murray confidently tucked away a penalty in the 26th minute after Odhran Eastwood had been chopped down in full flight but London responded again with a point from Conor Dornan to keep in touch.

Antrim suffered a blow just before the break with Paddy McBride receiving a second yellow followed by red and as things began to get a bit lively Conor O’Neill was shown Black for the Exiles

Antrim led 1-6 to 1-2 at the half way stage and they stretched their lead on the restart with Fitzpatrick and Eastwood firing over points. Ryan Lynch converted a couple of frees as Lenny Harbison’s side threatened to take complete control but London responded through a Killian Butler free.

This score seemed to give London new hope as Eoin Flanagan added another to reduce the Antrim lead to six by the 12th minute and Conor Dornan followed with his third of the game with 16 minutes gone and the momentum was starting to swing in favour of the visitors.

The extra man was beginning to tell and although Antrim continued to build attacks from deep in defence they were being turned over time and again with the final ball too often letting them down. James McAuley came in for his Antrim debut to replace Eunan Walsh as Dornan pointed another London free as the home side’s play became more and more ragged.

A strong run from Patrick McCormick saw him place his St. Ergnat’s colleague Colum Duffin who moved the home side five in front again but the visitors were growing in confidence.

Dornan closed the gap to four from a free in the 21st minute and it was now the Antrim defence who were earning the plaudits as Declan Lynch, Michael McCarry and Ricky Johnston stood strong as the visitors went in search of the goal that would have ensured a nervous finish.

Lynch put the icing on a great personal performance as he broke forward in the 26th minute for a good point to ease his side five in front again but the visitors refused to quit and a Killian Butler point kept their hopes alive.

The final point of the game fell to Lenny Harbinson’s side with Ruairi McCann splitting the uprights deep into in jury time to secure Antrim their first win of the season and this win will hopefully see them push on in the remaining three games of their league campaign.

Antrim: Andrew Hasson, Patrick McCormick, Ricky Johnston, Patrick Gallagher, Eunan Walsh, Michael McCarry, Declan Lynch (Capt), Matthew Fitzpatrick, Marty Johnston, Kevin Quinn, Stephen Beatty, Paddy McBride, Collum Duffin, Odhran Eastwood, Ryan Lynch. Subs used: Eoghan McCabe, Patrick Finnegan, James McAuley, Ruairi McCann.

London: Gavin McEvoy, Phillip Butler, Conor O’Neill, Matthew Moynihan, David Carrabine, Michael Clarke, Ryan Jones, Eoin Flanagan, Liam Gavaghan, David Dunne, Mark Gottsche, Aidan McGarvey, Conor Dornan, Barry Tully, Killan Butler. Subs: Liam Gallagher for Barry Tully, Nial Cofey for Conor O’Neill, Ciaran Houlihan for Aiden McGarvey, Sean Hickey for Ryan Jones

Scorers

Antrim: R Murray 1-4 (0-3 frees, 1-0 pen), P McBride 0-3, M Fitzpatrick 0-2, C Duffin 0-1, M Johnston 0-1, D Lunch 0-1, R McCann 0-1

London: C Doran 0-5 (3 frees), D Dunne 1-1 (0-1 free), K Butler 0-1, E Flanagan 0-1

A special thanks to Zara our mascot today along with Daniel and Meabh McCavigan who inspired the lads.

All roads lead to Waterford next Saturday.