Antrim Cement Top-Flight Spot

All-Ireland SHQ Relegation Play-Off:
Antrim 2-18 Laois 0-16

Niall Rigney’s Laois side battled until the bitter end, giving the Saffrons a tough test before Antrim eventually secured top-flight hurling for 2009, thanks to a 2-18 to 0-16 victory.

Two scores were crucial in this game for Antrim to seal victory, and as the saying goes ‘goals win games’ and that was certainly the case at a sun-kissed Páirc Tailteann in Navan.

Goals in either half from Shane McNaughton and Paddy Richmond were the catalysts for an Antrim win, who were part of a full-forward line that bagged all but six points of their side’s total 2-18 tally.

McNaughton’s goal after just 19 seconds sent a wind-assisted Antrim off to a perfect start.

However, Laois refused to give Antrim an easy game, and the O’Moore County cut the gap to the minimum thanks to points from Noel Costello and John Brophy, but an eager Antrim attack then restored their three point lead, after McNaughton and full-forward Paddy Richmond slotted between the posts.

Laois were keen to begin the second half on a positive note, but paid dearly for two early missed chances from Noel Costello, as their opponents hit three points in succession, including a Paul Shiels brace of frees to open up a 1-13 to 0-10 lead in the 44th minute.

Rigney’s side failed to throw in the towel though, as an excellent string of points from open play, ensured that a goal separated the sides as the game entered the final quarter with Willie Hyland, Colin Delaney and John Brophy all on target.

Crucially, Laois were forced to play the final quarter of the game with 14 men following the dismissal of wing-back John A Delaney after he received his marching orders for his second yellow card of the game.

Antrim’s full-forward line of McNaughton, Richmond and Paul Shiels continued to impress, and a McNaughton point firmly sealed the win in injury-time.

Laois must now face the Christy Ring Cup champions in mid-August if they are to stay in the Liam McCarthy Cup for 2009, or be condemned to the second-tier competition.

Antrim: R McGarry; A Graffin, C Donnelly, M Kettle; C Herron, K McKeegan, J Campbell (0-1); E McCloskey (0-1), PJ O’Connell; M Herron (0-1), K Stewart (0-2), P Magill; S McNaughton (1-3), P Richmond (1-1), P Shiels (0-8, 8f).
Subs: C Duffin (0-1 for O’Connell (41); C McKinley for Herron (66); J McKeague for Magill (70)

Laois: P Mullaney; D Maher, B Campion, M McEvoy; J A Delaney, J Phelan, C Coonan; E Holohan (0-2), J Walsh; C Delaney (0-2), W Hyland (0-3), N Costello (0-5, 4f); N Holmes, T Fitzgerald (0-1), J Brophy (0-3, 1f).
Subs: E Browne for Walsh (BS 27-29); J Rowney for Costello (39); C Dunne for Coonan (56); S Hanlon for Holohan (58)

Referee: Jason O’Mahony (Limerick)

Frees – Antrim 17 (8.9) Laois 11 (6,5)

Wides – Antrim 13 (7,6) Laois 8 (4,4) 65’s – Antrim 1 (1,0) Laois 0 (0,0)

Yellow Cards – Antrim 3 (Cormac Donnelly, Michael Kettle, Michael Herron) Laois 4 (John A Delaney*2, Joe Phelan, Noel Costello)

Red Cards – Antrim 0 Laois 1 (John A Delaney) Attendance – 150 approx