Antrim and Carlow draw
Even though the teams were tied eight times, including on 1-12 to 0-15 at the finish, there was little excitement. It was ponderous, passing game of football with plenty of scores, of course, but also plenty of mistakes.
Carlow will be better pleased with the outcome, although they had to rely on Paul Broderick for seven points, four frees, and three late scores from sub John Murphy, to share the spoils.
The visitors led by 0-7 to 0-6 at half-time but two minutes after the re-start Owen Gallagher, Antrim’s best attacker, smashed home the Saffrons’ goal from a Ryan Murray assist.
Both teams had spells of scoring before John Murray raced through for three late points, the last on 70 minutes, to snatch the Barrow Boys a deserved draw.
ANTRIM: C Kerr; J Laverty, C Burke, T Scullion; D Lynch, J Crozier, J Carron; S McVeigh, N McKeever; C Murray (0-1), O Gallagher (1-4), T McCann (0-1); R Murray (0-1), CJ McGourty (0-1), M Pollock (0-4, 2f).
Subs: BC R Murray, P McBride (0-1) on (39), BC C Murray, N O’Neill on (52), M Sweeney for McCann (65).
CARLOW: C Kearney; D Kelly, S Redmond, K Nolan; D Hayden, D St Ledger, B Kavanagh; S Gannon, D Foley (0-2); E Finnegan (0-1), C Moran, D Bambrick; P Broderick (0-7, 4f), B Murphy, H Gahan.
Subs: A Kelly (0-1) for Finnegan (40), BC D Kelly, BJ Molloy on (45), M Fitzgerald for Hayden (49), E Ruth for St Ledger (62).
Referee: B Rice (Down).
