World News – GB – Antrim 0-22 Kerry 1-17: Saffron back in big time with Joe McDonagh triumph

ATM

Skidding news

The links between Antrim and Tipperary Hurling have long been recognized, but few Premier Native people have had such an emphatic and immediate influence as Darren Gleeson.

The former All-Ireland goalkeeper has completed a remarkable first year as manager of the Saffrons, promoting them in both the league and now the championship while remaining consistently undefeated.

The Portroe native took the lead ahead of the 2020 season, having worked with the team as a coach last year. And he’s brought the county back to where many believe Antrim is one of them: Hurling’s top tier.

The Ulster outfit got off to a quick start. Ciarán Clarke scored a number of points in both playing and placing balls, while Conor McCann and James McNaughton also pointed out building a 6-0-2 lead at the water break.

But the Saffrons’ brilliant start was undone when a Matthew Donnelly mistake offered Mickey Boyle a golden chance. The Ballyduff man couldn’t believe his luck when he picked up the unmarked sliotar six meters from the gate and buried it in the net.

From there, the game opened, and Michael Bradley and Daniel Collins exchanged points as it neared break.

Antrim felt that in 32nd. Minute a goal was denied when John B. O’Halloran cleared Niall McKenna’s shot from the line. There were shouts from the Antrim players that the Sliotar had crossed the line before the kingdom’s gunshot-stopper broke in, but replay showed that O’Halloran had done little enough.

And it was Kerry who led 1-7 to 0-9 during the break thanks to Michael O’Leary’s injury point.

Gleeson’s indictment hit six points unanswered, with Neil McManus marking his return from injury with a point introduced as a replacement.

Kerry only recorded in 51. Minute, the first goal of the half, and by that time the game had been turned upside down. When the water break was called Antrim led 0-16 to 1-8 and it looked like they were going to lose.

Points from Shane Conway and Colm Harty resulted in a game with a score as Kerry tried to keep in touch. But Antrim kept them in check with three consecutive points as the game reached its final 10 minutes.

Kerry struggled heavily late but was unable to undo the damage inflicted in the third quarter as Antrim took a deserved two-point win.

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Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Phelim Duffin, Matthew Donnelly, and Stephen Rooney; Gerard Walsh, Paddy Burke, and Joe Maskey; Eoghan Campbell, Keelan Molloy; Niall McKenna (0-2), James McNaughton (0-1), Michael Bradley (0-1); Dan McCloskey, Conor McCann (0-1), Ciaran Clarke (0-11, 8f).

Subs: Conal Cunning (0-2) for Dan McCloskey (half time), Neil McManus (0-3, 1f, 2 65 ‘) for Keelan Molloy (45. Minute), Donal Nugent for Conor McCann (45. Minute)), Conor Johnston for Michael Bradley (64. Minute), Aodhán O’Brien for Niall McKenna (70. Minute).

Kerry: John B. O’Halloran; Bryan Murphy, Eric Leen, Tomás O’Connor; Jason Diggins, Fionán MacKessy, Michael Leane; Brandon Barrett, Paudie O’Connor (0-1); Michael O’Leary (0-2), Shane Nolan (0-9, 8f), Shane Conway; Daniel Collins (0: 2), Mickey Boyle (1: 0), Maurice O’Connor.

Subs: Barry O’Mahony for Maurice O’Connor (42. Minute), Pádraig Boyle (0-1) for Paudie O’Connor (49. Minute), Colm Harty (0-1) for Mickey Boyle (55. Minute), Brendan O’Leary (0-1) for Brandon Barrett (61. Minute).

© 2020 Sky UK

Joe McDonagh Cup, Antrim GAA, Hurling, Gaelic Athletic Association, Croke Park, Kerry