Winning start for Wallace
Antrim 3-18 Wexford 2-15
Antrim opened their Division 1B campaign under new manager Jerry Wallace with an encouraging home win over Wexford this afternoon.
First half goals for the Saffrons from top scorer Shane McNaughton (1-8), debutant Kevin Sheerin and Karl Stewart gave them a 3-9 to 1-7 interval lead.
Wexford were unlucky not to score a second goal before the break, but Antrim goalkeeper Chris O'Connell pulled off a fine penalty save.
Wexford hit back with Eoin Quigley netting his second goal, however the Saffrons finished the stronger.
Wallace's charges showed no signs of cobwebs despite being without competitive hurling since last summer - they did not take part in the recent Bord na Mona Walsh Cup competition.
Today's result is all the more noteworthy given that Antrim achieved it without their Loughgiel Shamrocks players who are preparing for an All-Ireland Club SHC final against Offaly's Coolderry on St Patrick's Day.
Antrim and Wexford were evenly matched in the opening stages with the visitors slightly shading it as PJ Nolan and Gareth Sinnott raised early white flags.
The visitors opened up a four-point lead in the ninth minute following Quigley's first goal, which came from a Diarmuid O'Keeffe pass.
Liam Dunne’s charges could have extended their lead to six points inside two minutes, but they struck two poor wides in quick succession.
Antrim fought hard for possession to cut the deficit in the 20th minute to 1-4 to 0-4, following a Neil McManus pointed free. But, soon it was raining goals at Casement Park.
McNaughton's goal moved the hosts into a two-point lead after 19 minutes, with the Wexford defence struggling to keep tabs on Wallace's quick-witted attack.
Less than a minute after McNaughton's strike, Sheerin added the second. The Tir na nOg, Randalstown clubman broke into space before firing past Wexford goalkeeper Eanna Martin to ensure a 2-6 to 1-4 advantage.
O'Connell's save from Sinnott's penalty effort gave Antrim further encouragement. Nolan had been fouled by Cormac Donnelly for the penalty, but the home support felt justice had been served when Sinnott was denied.
Antrim were beginning to control the midfield sector as the interval approached. Points from McNaughton and Neal McAuley were followed by Stewart's powerful shot which beat Martin for the hosts' third goal.
Gary Moore replied on the cusp of half-time to reduce the arrears to eight points. Wexford boss Dunne reacted by bringing Rory Jacob and Paul Morris into the fray for the second half, while Jim Berry replaced newcomer John Leacy in midfield.
Berry proved effective with a brace of points and the experienced Jacob was also on target to cut the deficit to five points - 3-9 to 1-10.
Building from the back, with Donnelly clearing well, the Saffrons set up McNaughton for their tenth point of the afternoon. Three further points for the hosts, including one from Stewart, left them with a 3-14 to 1-13 advantage with just seven minutes remaining.
Wexford replied with Quigley's second goal in the 67th minute, which saw him convert after a well-placed pass from substitute Jack Guiney.
However, Antrim had done the groundwork to run out deserving winners in the end, hitting two of the final three points to close out a result which is the best possible start to what Cork native Wallace calls "a long-term project".
