In a thrilling showdown at Corrigan Park on Saturday, Antrim cinched a splendid 2-22 to 2-20 victory over Wexford, dusting off their Leinster Hurling Championship campaign. Despite a few controversial calls that worked against Darren Gleeson’s side and having fallen behind by seven points early in the second stage of the match, Antrim demonstrated resilience. Goals from Niall McKenna and Sean Elliott brought them back on par, before Gerard Walsh and Conal Cunning put the decisive points on the board.
The lead fluctuated during the first half with Lee Chin’s early point for Wexford being retaliated by James McNaughton and Gerard Walsh of Antrim. The leadership switched seven times before a crucial 27th minute when a free kick from Chin ricocheted off the goalpost and the official, Colm Lyons, noticed Conor McDonald being tugged, which resulted in a penalty in favour of Wexford, much to the dismay of the hosts. Chin took the opportunity with both hands.
Even after Wexford padded their lead with an uncontested second goal, Antrim brought the score difference down to one by the end of first half. Although Wexford increased their lead to seven in the second half, Antrim retaliated with the succeeding five points.
When it appeared Antrim had scored an important goal on the 55th minute, it was disqualified due to a square ball. However, they maintained their determination and a fine goal manufactured by McNaughton and scored by McKenna levelled the match yet again. Despite Byrne and McDonald adding to the Wexford tally, Antrim seized control seven minutes before the end, courtesy of Aodhán O’Brien and McNaughton who set up Sean Elliott’s decisive goal.
Chin notched up 2-11 from a free kick for the day, levelling the score, yet Antrim persistently held their ground, sealing their win with a sideline from Gerard Walsh and Cunning confirming it as Antrim came out victorious.
Antrim’s noteworthy players were R Elliott, N O’Connor, R McGarry, P Burke, G Walsh who managed (0-4, a single free), C Boyd (0-1), C Bohill, E Campbell, S Elliott (1-3), N Elliott (0-1), K Molloy (0-2), J McNaughton (0-3, two frees), C Cunning who scored brilliantly (0-7, seven frees), N McKenna’s impressive score (1-1), and C McCann’s contributions.
Substitutes called in were A O’Brien substituting C McCann after 31 minutes, C McKeown stepping in for N Elliott (47), and M Bradley coming in for N McKenna past the regulation time (70+3).
On Wexford’s side, we saw prominent players such as M Fanning, S Reck, C Foley, N Murphy, S Donohoe, D Reck, M O’Hanlon, C Hearne, K Foley along with L Óg McGovern’s strike (0-1), L Chin’s noteworthy score (2-11, seven frees, one penalty), and C Dunbar’s (0-1) achievement. In addition, C Byrne (0-4), C McDonald (0-2), and R O’Connor (0-1) also made their contributions felt.
Later substitutes confirmed were E Ryan replacing N Murphy after 53 minutes, R Lawlor standing in for C Dunbar (57), and S Casey substituting C Hearne (59). C Lyons from Cork stood as Referee.