Saffrons romp to Christy Ring Cup final win

Antrim 5-13 Carlow 1-07

Carlow were completely overwhelmed as their prized trip to Croke Park turned into a nightmare.

Antrim won a mismatch of a Christy Ring Cup final, regaining their Liam McCarthy Cup status with some ease.

Goals from Joey Scullion (13 minutes), Johnny McIntosh (15) and Kieran Kelly (17) set up 3-07 to 0-02 interval lead for the Saffrons.

Carlow waited 27-and-a-half minutes before Damien Roberts opened their account.

The Barrowsiders, who hit 16 wides, grabbed a late penalty strike from goalkeeper Frank Foley, but the concession of goals to McIntosh (2-04) and Brian McFall (1-02) had ruled out any comeback.

ANTRIM – DD Quinn; B McAuley, J McKeague, J Campbell; M Molloy (0-02 (2 '65')), K McKeegan (capt), C Herron; C Cunning, M Scullion; J Scullion (1-00), K Kelly (1-01), M Dallas; J McIntosh (2-04 (4f)), P Richmond (0-02), B McFall (1-02).

Subs used: D McKillop for Dallas (half-time), P Magill (0-01) for Cunning (54), B Delargy (0-01) for J Scullion (62), J McKernan for Campbell, D Gamble for McAuley (both 66)

CARLOW – F Foley (1-00 (1-00 pen)); E Nolan, T Doyle, A Gaule; E Coady, S Kavanagh, L Kenny; C Hughes, D Roberts (0-01); P Coady (0-03 (1f, 2 '65')), D Murphy, A Brennan; P Kehoe, R Foley (capt) (0-02), B Lawler.

Subs used: D Shaw for Kenny (19 mins), M Keating for Brennan (37), S McMahon (0-01) for Kehoe (48), J Waters for Hughes (51), B Delaney for Kavanagh (64-67, blood sub)

Referee: James McGrath (Westmeath)