Antrim turn up the heat in second half

Antrim 1-22 DIT 2-12: Antrim hurlers had a deserved win over DIT in the Bord na Mona Walsh Cup at stormy St Paul’s Park in Belfast yesterday.

DIT, with the wind at their backs, opened with four points, three from frees and one from a ‘65’ by Wexford star Jack Guiney.

After 11 minutes, following a good save by Antrim ‘keeper Chris O’Connell, the ball fell to Daryl Roberts who goaled and followed with a point for a half-time lead of 1-10 to 0-9.

Antrim went on a scoring spree after the restart, bagging an unanswered 1-6 before Derek McNicholas cracked in 1-1 for the visitors.

However, the Saffrons tagged on a late six points without reply, while Christy O’Connell pulled off a fine save from a Guiney penalty.

ANTRIM: C O’Connell; O McFadden, N McAuley, A Graffin; S McCrory, C McKinley, M Bradley (0-2); C Johnston, B McFall (0-1); N McManus (0-5, 1f), E McCloskey (0-2), P Shiels (0-7, 3f); C McCann (0-3), D Hamill, PJ O’Connell (1-2).

Subs: C Clarke for Hamill (h-t), R McCambridge for McFadden (39), E Campbell for McCrory (44), J McGreevy for McFall (45), S McAfee for O’Connell (31).

DIT: P McKenna; P O’Reilly, T Doyle, S Barron; G Whelan, K Bergin, C Robinson; C Sheehan, J Henderson (0-1); J Sweeney, D McNicholas (1-3, 1S/L), A Nugent (0-1); M Lee, J Guiney (0-5, 3f, one 65), D Roberts (1-2).

Subs: E Hayes for Henderson (53), B Carey for Lee (67). Yellow Card: J Guiney (33), J Sweeney (45).