Clare forced to dig deep

NHL DIVISION 2:

Antrim 1-9 Clare 0-13, Casement Park

14-man Clare had to dig deep in order to see off a determined Antrim side in today's Allianz NHL Division 2 tussle at Casement Park.

They lost the services of Under-21 star Darach Honan, due to an early injury, but three points from his replacement Barry Nugent helped the Banner men lead by 0-9 to 1-5 at half-time.

Antrim had made a whirlwind start when, just two minutes in, Conor McAllister was fouled for a penalty and Neil McManus stuck away the resulting placed ball.

But Nugent and Diarmuid McMahon, who scored a superb 70-yard point from the right, got Clare back level and three points from Colin Ryan edged them ahead.

McManus took his tally to 1-3 as the first half came to a close, and he added two more points in the second half.

Antrim's chances of an upset increased when Clare's Fergal Lynch was given a straight red card for a foul on Karl McKeegan.

But luck was not on the Saffrons' side. A stinging free from Paul Shields bounced around the Clare defence and was eventually deflected wide off goalkeeper Philip Brennan's shoulder.

Points from Sean Collins and Ryan steadied the ship for Clare at 0-13 to 1-8, with just five minutes remaining.

Antrim used their extra man to stage a late rally, and Brennan had to produce a top drawer save to deny Aaron Smiley a certain goal.

Smiley's deflected shot looked destined for the net but the Banner net minder saved it one-handed to keep the Saffrons at bay.

McManus managed to cut the gap to a single point but Ger O'Loughlin's charges held on to record their third win of the league run which keeps them at the top of the Division 2 standings.