Antrim hold on for win over Kerry

Antrim 3-18, Kerry 3-12

Antrim return to Division 1 hurling as they defeated Kerry after a nail-biting end to the Division 2 final at Croke Park.

A second-half rally by Kerry saw Antrim clutching to their lead into injury-time, but Dinny Cahill's men held on after a Shane Brick goal pulled the Kingdom to within a score.

Antrim coasted through the first half and were 1-04 to 0-0 up after captain Colm McGuckian goaled early on.

A Shane Brick goal in the 19th minute added to Kerry's tally of two points, but a Gregory O'Kane goal for the Northerners five minutes later saw Antrim pull ahead 2-06 to 1-02.

Antrim went to the dressingroom 10 points up and looking home and dry at 2-11 to 1-04.

Kerry started the better in the second half and a Michael Slattery goal, coupled with three points to Antrim's one, brought the score to 2-12 to 2-07.

Antrim responded and got on top again and a Paul Close point saw them eight points clear.

Kerry again rallied, got two points, and Shane Brick's second goal brought them to within a score at 2-18 to 3-12 approaching injury-time.

However a late goal by Paddy Richmond killed off the Kingdom's challenge.