Substitute Kelly gives Saffrons dramatic win with 92nd-minute winner in Carlow

Tailteann Cup round-up: Wins for Antrim, Fermanagh and Laois round off a hectic opening weekend of action

MOVING ON: Fermanagh manager Declan Bonner. Pic: INPHO/John McVitty

The most startling tie among the opening round of the Tailteann Cup went about as far as it could go before it was finally decided after over an hour and a half of extra-time drama at Cullen Park on Sunday afternoon. 

It was Antrim who came away the victors after substitute Benen Kelly pounded for a 92nd-minute goal to leave Carlow crestfallen as the hosts fell to a 6-17 to 2-26 defeat. Kelly scored after the Saffrons found their sixth breakthrough mere seconds before penalties were going to be required. 

Earlier Ronan Boyle had scored two goals when the Ulster side started far the better but Padhraig Bolger helped the hosts claw their way back into it until that ultra-dramatic decider. 

Elsewhere on Sunday Fermanagh clinched safe passage into Round 2A with a four-point win on home soil over Longford.

Having trailed by just a solitary point after an enjoyable and even first half, Dylan Farrell's goal 11 minutes into the second stanza gave Longford a one-point lead. But Declan Bonner's found their flow again in the final quarter to score freely and eventually pull away.

Evan O’Carroll and Matthew Barron found their scoring touch early and often as Laois proved much too strong for Wicklow in their Tailteann Cup opener at Laois Hire O'Moore Park, the hosts running out 1-23 to 0-19 victors. The seven-point success was built on a handsome first-half advantage when Laois led by 1-15 to 0-6.

The draws for the Round 2A & 2B will take place at 1pm on Monday. Viewers can watch the draw live and free on the GAA+ YouTube channel, as well as across the GAA’s official social media platforms.

The Round 2A draw will involve the eight winners in Round 1, who will be drawn to play against each other, with the first team drawn having Home Venue.

The following teams are involved in the Round 2A draw: Offaly, Wexford, Tipperary, Antrim, Laois, London, Fermanagh, Winner of Down/Leitrim. 

Round 2B draw will involve the eight losers in Round 1, who will be drawn to play against each other, with the first team drawn having Home Venue. The following teams are involved in the Round 2B draw: Clare, Limerick, Sligo, Carlow, Wicklow, Waterford, Longford, Loser of Down/Leitrim. 

Both draws are open, meaning teams that have already met in the provincial championships may be drawn to play each other again. The Round 2A & 2B fixtures will be played on the weekend of May 23rd / 24th.