Storming Antrim just fail to overhaul Offaly

Antrim 2-14 Offaly 2-17

Antrim produced a storming second half display at Casement Park but just narrowly failed to overcome a more experienced Offaly side that ran out winners 2-17 to 2-14.

Offaly dominated the opening half and led by 2-9 to 0-6 at the break, their goals coming from Niall Coughlan in the 10th minute and Damien Murray in the 27th minute.

The visitors actually led by 1-6 to 0-00 after 14 minutes before Antrim adjusted to the pace of the game.

It was a different story throughout the second half as the home side threw everything into attack and caused the Offaly defence all sorts of trouble.

By the 40th minute, however the winners had opened a 2-12 to 0-9 gap but an opportunist goal by Brian McFall for the home side started the Antrim revival.

Sean Kelly and skipper Kieran Herron from a 65 whipped over points to narrow the gap to four points and after both teams scored two points each Antrim came strong in the closing minutes.

A goal by full forward Aidan Delargy and a point by the same player left it 2-16 to 2-14 with one minute of ordinary time left.

However a point by Offaly sub Michael Cordial stopped the Antrim comeback to relieve the visitors and give them victory.

Antrim were, of course, without their Dunloy players, who are preparing for the All-Ireland Club Final against Cork side Newtownshandrum on St Patrick's Day.