Christy Ring Cup: Ciarán Clarke hits 2-10 as Antrim lay down early marker

Antrim produced a powerful first-half performance when defeating Kildare 3-20 to 0-17 in their Christy Ring Cup opening fixture at Parnell Park on Saturday.

The catalyst for their win lay in a superb attacking performance from Ciarán Clarke with the Ballycastle star landing 2-10.

Clarke opened the scoring inside ten seconds with a point and although Kildare levelled matters three minutes later through a Gerry Keegan free, the Lilies were chasing shadows for much of the opening-half.