Antrim disappoint in Laois

All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Qualifier Phase One:
Laois 0-18  Antrim 1-12

Antrim hurlers must beat Offaly in the final play-off game of the season if they are to avoid playing Christy Ring Cup hurling next season after falling to defeat to Laois in Saturday evening’s qualifier in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise.

After falling behind early in the game Antrim hit back to level with four Karl McKeegan points which tied the scores on 0-6 to 0-6 by half-time, but Antrim did have the use of the fresh breeze in that first half.
Laois looked the better team after the break but when Hyland missed a penalty soon after after the break Antrim hit back and Neil McManus scored an Antrim penalty at the other end to put his team 1-7 to 0-8 ahead.

However the remainder of the half  saw the home team regain the upper hand and they outscored Antrim by 11 points to two during a period of dominance.

Michael Herron and Paddy Richmond hit late points for Antrim but it was a case of too little, too late and Laois booked their place in the next round while Antrim face the tough task of beating Offaly in a relegation play-off to prevent a return to the Christy Ring Cup.

Scorers — Laois: W Hyland 0-7 (3f), J Brophy, B Campion (3f) 0-3 each, C Del-aney, J Walsh 0-2 each, T Fitzgerald 0-1. Antrim: K McKeegan 0-6 (4f 1’65), N McManus 1-0 (pen), P Richmond, M Herron 0-2 each, CJ McGourty, S Delargy 0-1 each.

Laois: T Doran; J A Delaney, D Maher, B Stapleton; M Whelan, B Campion, M McEvoy; C Delaney, J Walsh; E Jackman, O Holohan, W Hyland; E Costelloe, T Fitzgerald, J Brophy Subs: J Rowney for Costelloe (45); B Dunne for Jackman (55); J Purcell for Fitzgerald (70)

Antrim: R McGarry; K McGourty, N McG-arry, A Graffin; C Herron, J Campbell, N McAuley; S Delargy, K McKeegan; N McManus, C Donnelly, E McCloskey; PJ O’Connell, P Richmond, J Scullion. Subs: M Herron for O’Connell (22); CJ McGourty for Donnelly (ht); B Herron for McAuley (40); D McKillop for McCloskey (42); K Kelly for C Herron (56)

Referee: P O’Connor (Limerick)

Report:  antrim.gaa.ie