Antrim claim Tommy Murphy Cup

Tommy Murphy Cup Final:
Antrim 3-12 Wicklow 1-15

Antrim avenged last season’s last gasp defeat with a narrow win in a thrilling Tommy Murphy Cup final at Croke Park.

This time there was to be no late glory for Wicklow, who found their quest for a late winning goal heroically denied by a determined Saffron defence.

It was a three-goal blitz in the closing stages of the first half that effectively settled the destination of the trophy, with the entire full forward line finding the net.

And Jody Gormley’s side deservedly held out for a rare title success to bring a welcome piece of silverware to Casement Park.

Wicklow got off to a flying start with a Seanie Furlong goal inside the opening minute. He drilled the ball to the net from close range after the Saffron defence had failed to deal with John McGrath’s dropping delivery.

Antrim rallied for Benny Hasson and Ciaran Close to kick excellent scores, but with Thomas Walsh a powerful force in midfield, the Garden men blossomed again in the second quarter to open out a five-point lead, with wing back Leighton Glynn, Paul Earls and Walsh on target.

Furlong almost had a second goal when he cut inside only to be denied by Andy McClean’s goal-line stop.

But it all went horribly wrong for Wicklow in the final 12 minutes of the half, when Antrim got in for three goals.

First full forward Kevin Brady netted after Close had dispossessed a hesitant Alan Byrne, then Thomas McCann raced through to plant the ball past Mervyn Travers, and in the 32nd minute, Close struck from close range after a McCann effort had come back off a post.

The Ulster side led by 3-6 to 1-9 at the break, but three Hannon efforts had the sides level by the 51st minute.

Michael McCann combined midfield industry with a knack for picking off scores, as he hit a couple of neat efforts on his way to a 0-4 tally.

As the game entered its final 10 minutes, just a point separated the sides, but the scores from Thomas McCann steadied Antrim nerves.

There were still fears that history would repeat itself as Wicklow pressed for a late goal, but Andy McClean and Tony Convery held things together at the back and Jody Gormley’s men survived to savour title success.

Antrim: S McGreevy, C Brady, A McClean, P Conlon, T Scullion, T Convery, K O’Boyle, P Doherty, M McCann (0-4, 2f), P Close, J Crozier, B Hasson (0-2), T McCann (1-3, 1 ‘45′), K Brady (1-0), C Close (1-3).

Subs: M Magill for O’Boyle (45mins), M McCarry for Doherty, G Bell for Close (69)

Wicklow: M Travers, C Hyland, D Power, A Byrne, R Nolan, D O hAnnaidh, L Glynn (0-3), J Stafford, T Walsh (0-1), J McGrath, T Hannon (0-6, 2f, 1 ‘45′), P Earls (0-1), C
Walsh (0-2), S Furlong (1-2, 1f), D Daly.

Subs: P Dalton for Byrne (h-t), D Hayden for McGrath (62)

Referee: V Neary (Mayo).

Wides:
Yellow cards:
Antrim: T Scullion, P Close, P Conlon, B Hasson
Wicklow: None
Red cards: None
Attendance: 4,000 (approx)