Dublin cruise to dominant fifteen-point victory over Antrim

James Madden of Dublin is tackled by Eoin McFerran of Antrim. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Antrim 1-16 Dublin 1-31

FIFTEEN points separated the sides in Belfast on Sunday afternoon as Dublin cruised to a big victory over Antrim in the Division 1B clash.

The opening half saw Dublin nine points to the good as the half-time whistle blew but after the first few minutes Antrim fans feared the worst.

Donal Burke starred in the first half for the Dubs after striking almost half of their 20-point tally. It was a fairly feisty clash between the sides and Davy Fitzgerald’s side would have felt slightly hard done by with some questionable refereeing in the half.

Seáan Elliot maintained Antrim’s attacking threat with his impeccable ability to strike a free despite a ferocious wind proving difficult to deal with at times, the Dunloy man tallied six for his side and did well to keep Dublin within their grasp.

The travelling side made full advantage of the wind at their backs and some terrific scores from Burke, in particular a 70-yard free which with the assist of the breeze found the white flag and then some.

Fergal Whitely managed several scores of his own before late addition James Madden fired two scores over from short range as Dublin continued their pursuit of a healthy lead.

Ten minutes before the half, Antrim had hope restored when Ruairi Donaghy managed to flick the sliotar beyond Seán Brennan and the roar from the stands bellowed Antrim into a flurry of scores.

Andrew Dunphy of Dublin and James McNaughton of Antrim go up for the sliotar. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Keelan Molloy pointed a brace of scores and Elliot continued his flawless free-taking excellence with the hosts cutting the deficit to within six points.

Cian O’Sullivan struck the final point of the half but with the conditions reversing in favour of the hosts the second-half.

Chris Crummey’s goal in the early second half stages ended any hopes of a comeback as the Dubs went from strength to strength and continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over in their favour.

Cian O’Sullivan came out sharp and struck a further three scores accompanied by Whitely who punished Antrim from sloppy play which halted their attack.

Antrim did rattle a few scores from James McNaughton and Seaan Elliot but it was too much of a gap to close as the wind seemed to evaporate in the second-half of the game.

Dublin continue to look a strong force in Division 1B as they maintain their pursuit of Clare at the summit, meanwhile Antrim know their match-up with Down is a winner takes all scenario in the relegation scrap.

Antrim Scorers: S Elliot 0-8 (0-7f), R Donaghy 1-1, K Molloy 0-3, J McNaughton 0-2 (0-1f), C Johnston 0-2.

Dublin Scorers: D Burke 0-8 (0-5f), F Whitely 0-5, D Purcell 0-4, C Crummey 1-1, C O’Sullivan 0-4, R Hayes 0-2, J Madden 0-2, P Smith 0-1, B Hayes 0-1, J Hetherton 0-1, C Burke 0-1, D Ó Dúlang 0-1 (0-1f).

Antrim Team: D Nugent; S Rooney, N O’Connor, P Burke; E McFerran, G Walsh, J Maskey; R McCambridge, P Boyle; K Molloy, C Johnston, R Donaghy; S Elliot, J McNaughton, S Walsh.

Subs: E O’Neill for S Walsh (47’), J McLoskey for S Elliot (62’), S Duffin for P Boyle (62’), J McLaughlin for R McCambridge (68’).

Dublin Team: S Brennan; C Groarke, P Smith, E O’Donnell; A Dunphy, C Crummey, C Burke; B Hayes, C Donohoe; F Whitely, D Burke, J Madden; D Purcell, J Hetherton, C O’Sullivan.

Subs: D Ó Dúlang for J Hetherton (43’), C McHugh for C Groarke (43’), J Bellew for P Smith (58’), C O Cathsaigh for E O’Donnell (61’), R Hayes for C O’Sullivan (65’).