Late rally not enought for U21s

A spirited second half fight-back from Leitrim Under 21s fell just short last Saturday in Michael Fay Park, Longford when the home side proved victorious in the first round of the Hastings Cup.

HASTINGS CUP FIRST ROUND
LEITRIM 0-12
LONGFORD 0-12

The decisive only goal was scored by Kevin Diffley deep into first half stoppage time as Longford led by 1-4 to 0-3 at the break and they gradually extended the advantage to a comfortable six points before Leitrim finally managed to make a decent impact and might well have avoided defeat but for a brilliant save by the home keeper CiaranÓgarvey.

Trailing by 1-10 to 0-7, Leitrim narrowed the gap with three points on the trot through Fergal Clancy (two frees) and Adrian Croal and then a well-worked move involving midfielder Wayne McKeon and full-forward Paul Brennan put Ray Mulvey clean through for a clear-cut chance of an equalising goal in the 54th minute.

However, Garvey came to Longfords rescue with a point-blank stop and while the Leitrim revival continued with a well struck point from Adrian Croal the pressure was lifted on the home side when substitute Shane Kiernan fired over a cracking score in the 58th minute.

Soon after Ger DennÓgan converted a close range free to make victory safe for Longford and it was Leitrim who brought the Scóring to a close when Fergal Clancy converted his sixth point (all from frees) in the second minute of stoppage time.

Longford were clearly the better team in the first half but failed to convert their superiority into scores as a total of nine wides were kicked as compared to four for the opposition.

Having said that, Leitrim had a great chance of a goal in the opening minute when Fergal Earley had a close range shot saved by the alert Longford keeper CiaranÓgarvey and the opening score of the game did not materialise until the 12th minute when Fergal Clancy slotted over a free for the visitors.

Longford eventually opened their account in the 15th minute whenÓger DennÓgan converted a free and a further three points followed through Emmet Masterson and JJ Matthews (2) while Leitrim replied with a score apiece from Clancy (free) and wing back Thomas Davitt – the latter landing a great kick in the 30th minute.

With just the minimum of margins separating the sides, Longford received a significant boost when William Crawford set up Kevin Diffley for a fine goal in the third minute of additional time but Leitrim closed the gap when Fergal Clancy converted a free in the early stages of the second half.

However, Longford then enjoyed their best spell of the game with Thomas Lowry firing over two points and three more scores (one free) were registered by Philip Dobson before Emmet Masterson shot over the bar in the 44th minute.Leitrim managed two points through Ray Mulvey (when a goal was on) and Adrian Croal in the third quarter of the contest but showed a lot of character in refusing to give up the fight and Longford just done enough to stay in front.

Longford

CiaranÓgarvey; Aaron Quinn, Fergal Battrim, Thomas Gallagher, Michael Kenny, Martin Brady, John Sheridan; Ger DennÓgan (0-2), David Faughnan; JJ Matthews (0-2), Kevin Diffley (1-0), Thomas Lowry (0-2); William Crawford, Donal McElligott, Philip Dobson (0-3). Subs: Emmet Masterson (0-2) for McElligott (7 mins); Shane Kiernan (0-1) for Diffley (40 mins); Colm P Smith for Kenny (50 mins); Gerard Farrell for Faughnan (60 mins).

Leitrim

Philip Farrelly; Mark Mitchell, Adrian Fowley, Conor McCauley; Thomas Davitt (0-1), Conor McLoughlin, Aidan Dolan; Wayne McKeon, Conor Sheridan; Nicholas McWeeney, Fergal Clancy (0-6), Ray Mulvey (0-2); Adrian Croal (0-3), Paul Brennan, Fergal Earley. Subs:ColinÓgilligan, Kevin Conlan, Liam Burke, Paul Og Ferguson and Enda McHugh for P Farrelly, N McWeeney, F Earley, A Dolan and A Fowley (HT); Christopher Higgins for L Burke (44 mins); A Dolan for T Davitt (injured, 52 mins).

Ref: Ollie Kelly (Roscommon).

 

 

 

 

 

 

This full report is available thanks to the Leitrim Observer
– its available in this weeks edition of the Observer and online here

 

 

 

 

 

08-Jan-09 by LeitrimObserver.ie

FBD League – Rd 1 – Leitrim v GMIT

An injury-time free from Donal Shine handed GMIT a slender one-point victory over 13-man Leitrim in Tuam Stadium in Round One of the FBD League. The match — which was by no means cynical — saw a total of 10 yellow cards as the ill-discipline of the Leitrim side saw them fall short after leading throughout.

GMIT, facing a three-point deficit with 10 minutes left were awarded a penalty after Barry Prior hauled down Stephen KavanÓgh inside the area. Shine dispatched the penalty and followed up with two monster kicks late on to seal victory.

Despite dominating possession for the opening half GMIT found themselves two points in arrears at half-time, mainly thanks to the accuracy of Emlym Mulligan and an efficient Leitrim forward line.

After a great score from Brendan Faherty early in the second period brought GMIT within two points, a brace from Damien ODonnell pushed Leitrim further into the lead after an hour.

However, after using two substitutes in the second-half, they were forced to finish the match with 13 men as James Glancy followed Prior to the line late on, as the frequent stoppages spoiled the match as a spectacle.

scorers —

GMIT: D Shine 1-7 (1-0 pen, 7f), B Flaherty 0-2.

Leitrim: E Mulligan 0-5 (5f),D ODonnell 0-3, D Maxwell, D Sweeney, D Gilhooley 0-1 each.

GMIT — R Hannan; E OSullivan, D Vaughan, P McGrath; A Deacy, D Lee, P McGinley; P Conroy, C Glynn; S Hughes, A Campbell, S KavanÓgh; M Martin, D Shine, B Flaherty.

Subs: M Kelly for D Vaughan (yellow card 35), C Boyle for P McGinley (yellow card 48), D Keane for P McGrath (yellow card 50) and C Mulrennan for M Martin (yellow card 57).

Leitrim — nÓgill; L Ferguson, B Prior (yellow card 60), D Flynn; B McWeeney, M Duignan, D Beck; S Canning, D Sweeney; D ODonnell, E Mulligan, D Duignan; R Cox, T Beirne, D Gilhooley.

Subs: A OFlynn for B McWeeney (yellow card 21), J Glancy (yellow card 71 for D Flynn (yellow card 31), D Maxwell for S Canning (yellow card 37), J Holohan for D Duignan (45), R Gallagher for D Sweeney (55), P Gilmartin for M Duignan (yellow card 57).

Ref — G Kinneavey (Galway).

 

 

05-Jan-09 by Irish Independant.ie

FBD & Connacht Champ Dates announced

The general format for the FBD Connacht League remains unchanged which results in Leitrim playing 3 away games this year.  There will be two trips to Tuam to play the Galway based teams and then to Coola for Round 3.

Playing in Section B:

Round 1 – 4 Jan 09
GMIT v Leitrim in Tuam at 2pm
Sligo v Galway in Tourlestrane at 2pm,

Round 2 – 11 Jan 09
Galway v Leitrim in Tuam at 2pm
GMIT v Sligo in Dunmore at 2pm,

Round 3 – 18 Jan 09
Sligo v Leitrim in Coola at 2pm
GMIT v Galway in Pearse Stadium at 2pm

 

Home final:  25/01/09

Final: 19/10/09

 

Connacht Championship Dates:

Pre-Lim Rounds – Extra Time.

Sunday 10th May.
New York v Mayo – Gaelic Park.

Sunday 17th May
Leitrim v Roscommon – Carrick-on-Shannon.

Sunday 24th May
London v Galway – Ruislip

 

Semi- Finals.
Sunday 14th June. (Replay 20th June)
Sligo v London / Galway  –  Markieviez Park.

Sunday 21st June   (Replay 27th June)
New York v Mayo v Leitrim / Roscommon

 

Final Sunday 12th July    (Replay Saturday 18th July)

 

 

 

06-Nov-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

Leitrims games in National League (Draft version)

The Allianz National League fixtures have been released in DRAFT format, which are subject to minor changes.  The schedule of games in Division 4 for Leitrim are as follows: 

Rd 1   01.02.09 (Sun) – TBC  – London – Away
Rd 2   07.02.09 (Sat) – 2:30pm – Carlow – Home
Rd 3   15.02.09 (Sun) – 2:30pm – Sligo – Away

Rd 4   08.03.09 (Sun) – 2:30pm – Antrim – Home
Rd 5   15.03.09 (Sun) – 2.30pm – Wicklow – Home
Rd 6   22.03.09 (Sun) – 2.30pm – Waterford – Away
Rd 7   29.03.09 (Sun) – 2.30pm – Kilkenny – Away

Rd 8   12.04.09 (Sun) – 2.30pm – Clare – Home
Rd 9   18.04.09 (Sun) Leitrim  bye

 

Leitrim have 4 home and 4 away gmaes this year and the season opens in London on Feb 1st.  Leitrim have a bye in the last round so therefore will need to have all the work done leading into the last game which is in round 8.

The draft version is subject to minor changes and will NOT be official until passed by Croke Park later in November.

 

 

31-Oct-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

Connacht footballers reach final

Connacht 2-15 Leinster 0-11 

Connacht lead from the start in Kiltoom and were deserving ten-point winners against a disappointing Leinster team that never seriously challenged the home province.

Mayos Conor Mortimer opened the Scóring with a second minute point with further points from Leitrim pair Declan Maxwell and Emlyn Mulligan signalling what was to come from Connacht.

Paul BardenÓgot Leinster off the mark on 9 minutes while Peadar Gardiner and Ross Munnelly swapped points to leave Connacht leading by four points to two at the half way stage of the opening half.

John OMahoneys men then hit a purple patch with a goal and three points to stretch the lead to 8 points after 22 minutes play.

A Mulligan free together with an Andy Moran point lead up to the Connacht goal on 20 minutes.

Padraic Joyce and Conor Mortimer were involved in the build up with Moran slipping the ball past Gary Connaughton in the Leinster goal.

Ross Munnelly gave Val Andrews charges some hope with two pointed frees for an otherwise poor return from 30 minutes play, but Connacht went in for half time leading by 2-07 to 0-04 points thanks to a superb goal from Galway veteran Joyce after 27 minutes.

Pat Harte laid the ball off to Joyce and the centre forward made no mistake with the finish to the net.

Connacht never let up in the second half and had stretched their lead to 10 points within 9 minutes of the restart with three pointed frees from Joyce to two points in reply from Dublin duo Mossie Quinn and Collie Moran.

Leinster fought back with further points from Quinn, Munnelly and PJ Banville, but the losers were never to get close enough to stage a grandstand finish.

Another Munnelly point after 49 minutes proved to be Leinsters second last score of the game with an Emmet Bolton point in stoppage time ending the contest for an ineffectual losing province.

Kenneth Mortimer popped over a free kick midway through the half for Connacht while further points for Joyce and Maxwell together with two from Mayos Alan Dillon stretched the advantage to 11 points before Boltons late score, but the final outcome was never in doubt at any stage.

Munster also won their football clash against Ulster by 1-05 to 0-05 points. Corks Nicholas Murphy scored the decisive goal.

Connacht: D Clarke (Mayo), G Bradshaw (Galway), T Cunniffe (Mayo), Charles Harrison (Sligo), P Gardiner (Mayo) 0-1, D Blake (Galway), J Nallen (Mayo), M Finneran (Roscommon), P Harte (Mayo), E Mulligan (Leitrim) 0-3 (3f), P Joyce (Galway) 1-4 (3f), A Dillon (Mayo) 0-2 (1f), C Mortimer (Mayo) 0-2 (1f), D Maxwell (Leitrim) 0-2, A Moran (Mayo) 1-1.

Subs: G Sice (Galway for Mulligan, R McGarrity (Mayo) for Finneran, S Kilbride (Roscommon) for Mortimer, S McDermott (Roscommon) for Moran, D Kelly (Sligo) for Maxwell

Leinster: G Connaughton (Westmeath), M Ennis (Westmeath), K ONeill (Kildare), A McLochlainn (Kildare), C King (Meath), C Moran (Dublin) 0-1, E Bolton (Kildare) 0-1, S Ryan (Dublin), M Ward (Meath), P Byrne (Meath), P Barden (Longford) 0-1, PJ Banville (Wexford) 0-1, R Munnelly (Laois) 0-5 (4f), J Sheridan (Meath), T Quinn (Dublin) 0-2(1f).

Subs: JP Dalton (Wicklow) for Byrne, B Quigley (Laois) for Sheridan, J Smith (Westmeath) for Barden, M Carpenter (Carlow) for Banville, E Bradley (Wexford) for Ward.

 

The final will be played next Saturday, 1st November, against Munster at 7:45pm in Portlaoise. 

 

 

 

25-Oct-08 by RTE.ie/sport

Three on Connacht Football Panel

Three players from Leitrim form part of the football panel in John OMahonys Connacht selection for the forthcoming M. Donnelly GAA Interprovincial Championship competitions. Emlyn Mulligan, Declan Maxwell and Michael McGuinness have been chosen as the representatives from Leitrim. The full panel of 26 consists of 9 from Mayo, 5 from Galway, 4 from Sligo and 4 from Roscommon.  Leitrim have another representative participating in the competition as Ollie Honeyman is one of the two selectors who will work alongside John OMahoney.

The full panel is:

FOOTBALL

Padraic Joyce Galway

Diarmuid Blake Galway

Gareth Bradshaw Galway

Gary Sice Galway

Damien Burke Galway

David Clarke Mayo

Tom Cunniffe Mayo

Peadar Gardiner Mayo

Alan Dillon Mayo

Conor Mortimer Mayo

Andy Moran Mayo

James Nallen Mayo

Ronan McGarrity Mayo

Pat Harte Mayo

Emlyn Mulligan Leitrim

Declan Maxwell Leitrim

Michael McGuinness Leitrim

Ross Donovan Sligo

Philip Greene Sligo

Charles Harrison Sligo

David Kelly  Sligo

Senan Kilbride Roscommon

Sean McDermott Roscommon

Michael Finneran Roscommon

Cathal Cregg Roscommon

 

Manager: John OMahony

Selectors: Kevin Walsh, Ollie Honeyman

 

 

 

 

23-Oct-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

2009 Football and Hurling championship draws

Taken from GAA.ie

The draw for the 2009 Football and Hurling championships was made on Wednesday night and as always it threw up some mouthwatering ties in both codes.

 

In football, two matches in particular catch the eye – the meeting of reigning All-Ireland champions Tyrone and reigning Ulster champions Armagh in the quarter-final of the Ulster football championship and the intriguing clash of old foes Dublin and Meath at the same stage in the Leinster football championship.

The Ulster championship draw also saw current National League champions Derry pitted against Monaghan while Fermanagh must face Down in a preliminary round in order to advance to the last eight.

Elsewhere, the draw in Munster ensured that Kerry and Munster champions Cork can only meet at the semi-final stage.

Cork have been drawn to face Waterford with the winner to face the Kingdom in the last four.

In the other half of the draw John Evans Tipperary will face Limerick, with Clare awaiting the winners in the first Munster semi-final.

 

2009 Connacht Football Championship draw

Quarter-finals –
New York v Mayo
London v Galway
Roscommon v Leitrim
Sligo bye into semi-finals

Semi-finals –
LonDonegalway v Sligo
New York/Mayo v Roscommon or Leitrim

 

 

2009 Leinster Football Championship draw

First round –
Kildare v Offaly
Carlow v Louth
Longford v Wicklow

Quarter-finals –
Kildare/Offaly v Wexford
Carlow or Louth v Laois
Longford/Wicklow v Westmeath
Meath v Dublin

 

 

2009 Munster Football Championship draw

Quarter-finals –
Tipperary v Limerick
Waterford v Cork

Semi-finals –
Tipperary/Limerick v Clare
Waterford/Cork v Kerry

 

 

2009 Ulster Football Championship draw

Preliminary round –
Fermanagh v Down

Quarter-finals –
Fermanagh/Down v Cavan
Tyrone v Armagh
Derry v Monaghan
Donegal v Antrim

 

 

In hurling, the stand-out match is the meeting of reigning National League and Munster champions Tipperary will line up against Cork in the quarter-final of the Munster hurling championship.

Galways first opponents in the 2009 Leinster hurling championship will be Niall Rigneys Laois while Antrim have been drawn to face Dublin.

All-Ireland hurling champions Kilkenny have received a bye into the semi-final.

===

2009 Munster Hurling Championship draw

Quarter-final –
Cork v Tipperary

Semi-finals –
Waterford v Limerick
Clare v Cork/Tipperary

2009 Leinster Hurling Championship draw

Quarter-finals –
Laois v Galway
Offaly v Wexford
Dublin v Antrim
Kilkenny bye into semi-finals

——-

 

 

 

08-Oct-08 by GAA.ie

Championship Draw for 2009

The draws for the GAA Provincial Hurling and Football championships will be held on Wednesday evening next in Croke Park. They will be broadcast live on RTÉ 2 TV and on the RTE website commencing at 7.30 pm.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/mediaplayer.html

 

 

 

07-Oct-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

Update on search for County Manager

The sub-committee charged with finding a new county team Manager have requested a special sitting of the County board committee tonight Monday, Aug 25th. It is expected that this sub-committee will present the name of a potential new Manager to the clubs of the county for ratification. If the clubs ratify the new Manager the details of the appointment will be made known on this website after 9:30pm tonight. No further comment or information will be available until this time.

 

 

25-Aug-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

New Mangement Team announcement

Leitrim GAA are delighted to announce that Mickey Moran and John Morrison will take over the vacant senior football management positions after ratification at tonights special county board meeting.

Mickey Moran started coaching as player Manager for 2 years at Derrys helm and when he hung up the boots he completed a further 2 years for the county.
Before his playing days ended he had played for his home club Glen, Derry, Ulster and the Rest of Ireland and was an All-Star replacement.

He was the Derry coach in 1993 as he assisted the late Eamon Coleman during Derrys capture of the All-Ireland title.

Towards the end of the nineties he was involved with the Irish International Rules team with Colm ORourke, John OKeefe, John Tobin for two years.

Having coached in Sligo and Donegal, in between stints with his native county Derry, he then took the top role in Mayo in 2006 taking them to a National League semi-final appearance, a Connacht final win and to an All-Ireland final appearance against Kerry with a superb win against Dublin along the way. Leitrim fans who were in Croke Park for the Tommy Murphy cup final against Louth may remember the fantastic Dublin v Mayo encounter that followed.

Mickey Moran is assistedby John Morrison who is only one of a small number of ‘GAA master coaches in Ireland. He is no stranger to coaches in Leitrim as he has undertaken several coaching seminars in the county in recent years as part of our games development plan. Earlier this year he was one of the high profile tutors included in the 2008 Coachworks series held in Armagh, this programme which "transforms theory into practice" offered useful tips on how best to deliver coaching messages and skills.

He is known for his ability to analyse player athleticism and performance and to provide a variety of solutions to enhance both.

The colourful Armagh native has coached with no fewer than five county teams and whose expertise has also been sought by Ulster Rugby and Leicester Tigers has partnered Mickey Moran in each of Morans last three Managerial appointments in Mayo, Derry and Donegal.

In conjunction with the development of playing and training facilities Leitrim GAA look on this appointment as another phase of development of Gaelic football in the county. Not only will Mickey and John be the senior team mentors they will also be involved in the preparation of coaching programmes for county underage teams & development squads. They are willing to assist in the preparation for our county U16s, Minor, U21s and Junior teams.

At grass roots level they are very willing to work with club coaches throughout the county and will be available to help in preparing programs for club teams. Their commitment to Leitrim GAA will further enhance the comprehensive Coaching and Development plans already in operation and this is a much valued addition to their duties as Senior team management.

 

 

25-Aug-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

Des Dolan stands down as Leitrim Team Manager

Earlier this afternoon Des Dolan stepped down as Leitrim team Manager after 4 years in charge.  Leitrim GAA would like to sincerely thank Des for his efforts and contribution to the fortunes of the Leitrim football team during that 4 year period.

 

 

 

 

28-Jul-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

Tommy Murphy Semifinal – Reports

Antrim and Wicklow secured wins in Saturdays Tommy Murphy Cup semi-finals to set up a final showdown in Croke Park next week.

The final will be repeat of the 2007 decider, when Wicklow captured the title in a thrilling game.

Wicklow will be back defending their Tommy Murphy Cup title when the final is played next weekend.

The Garden County men booked their place in the decider at Aughrim on Saturday when they beat Leitrim by three points after a terrific battle that saw the teams level on eight occasions over the 70 minutes.

Tommy Murphy Cup Semi-Final: Wicklow 0-15 Leitrim 0-12

The teams were deadlocked for the eighth time with just eight minutes left on the clock but Wicklow finished the stronger with a brace of points by ace-free-taker Tony Hannon and a single from wing-back LeightonÓglynn to clinch victory.

Centre-forward Tony Hannon was involved in a shooting duel with Leitrims number 11, Emlyn Mulligan, who lined out at corner-forward, and Wicklow won that battle also, with Hannon finishing with a grand total of eight points – seven from frees – compared with Mulligans haul of six for Leitrim.

Wicklow also had big performances from midfielder Thomas Walsh, hyperactive wing-backs LeightonÓglynn and Rory Nolan, with corner-back Alan Byrne also having every reason to be pleased with his display.

Corner forward Ciaran Walsh had the opening point for Wicklow in the first minute and it was point for point for the next 20 minutes, with the sides level on four occasions and the score standing at 0-4 each.

Noel Doonan was winning a lot of midfield ball for Leitrim and they moved into a two points lead with scores from wing-forward Colin Regan and Mulligan before ending the half 0-8 to 0-7 in front.

Tony Hannon pointed Wicklow back level immediately after the restart and the teams were again tied at 0-9 and 0-12, with Leitrim wiping out a three point lead for the home side with scores from Mulligan [two frees] and midfielder Doonan.

Wicklow finished the stronger of the two teams in the last eight minutes with clinching points from Hannon and LeightonÓglynn, while Derek Daly had a goal chance at the end but blazed wide of Enda Lyons right hand post after taking a cross-field pass from Hannon.

scorers for Wicklow: T Hannon (0-8, 0-7f), L Glynn (0-3), S Furlong (0-2), C Walsh (0-2).

Leitrim: E Mulligan (0-6, 0-5f), N Doonan (0-2), C Regan (0-2), S Foley and M Foley (0-1 each).

Wicklow: M. Travers; C. Hyland, D. Power, A. Byrne; R. Nolan, D. O hAnnaidh, L. Glynn; J. Stafford, T. Walsh; J. McGrath, T. Hannon, P. Earls; C. Walsh, S. Furlong, D. Daly.

Leitrim: E. Lyons; D. Reynolds, G. Reynolds, A. OFlynn; D. Duignan, S. Foley, N. Doonan; M. Duignan, M. Foley; P. McGuinness, C. Regan, J. Glancy, D. Brennan, E. Mulligan, F McBrien.

Subs: F. McBrien for J. Glancy, G. McCloskey for C. Regan, C. Duignan for F. McBrien, D. OConnor for M. Foley.

Referee: Maurice Condon (Waterford)

——–

Antrim secured a return to Croke Park with a comprehensive 1-19 to 0-13 win over London in the Tommy Murphy Cup semi-final at a sunny Casement Park.

Despite missing some gilt-edged goal and point opportunities, Antrim still had nine points to spare over a disappointing Exiles side and will now face Mick ODwyers men next weekend in a repeat of last years decider.

Tommy Murphy Cup semi-final: Antrim 1-19 London 0-13

Wicklow won the second tier trophy with the last kick of the ball last year, and Antrim will now have the chance for revenge when the sides go into battle at HQ.

Antrim were never in danger, although they never really put the game away until the 44th minute when Kevin OBoyles unstoppable shot rippled the London net.

Although London never looked like staging a comeback, OBoyles major put nine between the teams and effectively ended the game as a contest.

The Saffrons could have been out of sight much earlier with Ciaran Close in particular missing a number of goal chances, although LondonÓgoalkeeper Evan Byrne saved superbly from the corner forward on 40 minutes.

London continued to battle and in Pauric Duffy they had a marksman of quality who ended the game on four points. They were lacking else where however and Antrim could Scórcely believe the room they had to manoeuvre up front, especially in the opening 20 minutes.

The visitors were lucky that Antrim had forgotten their shooting boots, hitting five wides before Kevin Brady notched the games opening point in the seventh minute.

London replied with a Chris Donnellan free before the Saffrons finally found their range to hit the next four scores.

Close accounted for three, although the Cargin man should have found the back of the net with his second after being worked in by Michael Magill and Brady. Stylish free-taker Michael McCann raised the other Antrim flag.

Donnellan closed the gap on 18 minutes with what was only Londons third attempt on the Antrim posts but when Martin Hughes added his sides third, the Exiles trailed by just two points 0-5 to 0-3.

Their revival was to be short-lived. Tony Scullion, McCann and Close extended the home lead to five points before Duffy stopped the rot. It was Duffy who added Londons fifth one minute before the break with a fine point from play, but in-between Magill and Close both raised white flags. Andy Hayes put London within four points with the last kick of the first half.

The second-half was just as pedestrian as the first – and just as predictable – although OBoyles goal gave the 300-strong crowd something to shout about. The half back jinked through the London rearguard, fed the ball to Brady, received the return and blasted to the net to make the score 1-13 to 0-7.

The gap grew to 11 points when Scullion fired over his second point on 54 minutes, although London, through Paul Geraghty and sub Peader Friel, closed the gap to single figures.

Two late Alan Raftery points did little to rouse the Exiles and Magill almost closed out the game with a goal, but as had been the story for Antrim all night, his shot sailed over.

Antrim scorers: C Close (0-7, 3f), M McCann (0-4f), K OBoyle (1-0), T Scullion (0-2), M Magill (0-2), J Crozier (0-1), K Brady (0-1), T McCann (0-1), C Murray (0-1)

London scorers: P Duffy (0-4), C Donnellan (0-3f), A Raftery (0-2), P Geraghty (0-1), M Hughes (0-1), A Hayes (0-1), P Friel (0-1)

Antrim: S McGreevy; C Brady, A McLean, P Conlon; T Scullion, J Crozier, K OBoyle; P Doherty, M McCarry; P Close, M McCann, B Hasson; M Magill, K Brady, C Close

Subs: T McCann for P Doherty, C Murray for K OBoyle, G Bell for M McCarry, M Rea for K Brady, C Totten for T Scullion

London: E Byrne; R Morgan, B Comer, G OHare; P McDermott, E Ó Cuiv, O Henry; P Geraghty, A Raftery; H Murphy, P Duffy, C Donnellan; S McGuire, M Hughes, A Hayes

Subs: P Hehir for H Murphy, P Friel for A Hayes, O Coffey for S McGuire

Referee: M Higgins (Fermanagh)

 

 

26-Jul-08 by Setanta Sport