Antrim win Forrestal Div 2 Title

On Saturday 28th August, the Antrim U14 hurling development squad travelled to Portlaoise, Co. Laois, to participate in the Division 2, All-Ireland, Tony Forrestal hurling tournament.
After comfortably battling through the group stages on the Saturday morning, with convincing wins over Wicklow and Laois-O’Moores, Antrim were drawn against a determined Westmeath side in the semi-final at O’Moore Park.  The Saffron’s knew Westmeath would present a formidable challenge as they had narrowly won a thrilling encounter against them in early July at the DJ Carey tournament in Kilkenny.

Antrim began the half the brighter of the two counties and kept the score board ticking over with some great points from corner forward Dara Rocks, half-forward James Connolly, centre-half forward Seaghan Shannon, captain Conor Christie and a goal by full-forward Cormac McClafferty.  The Saffon’s went in at the half-time break with a 1-6 to 1-1 lead.  Westmeath staged a comeback in the second half and drew level. However, great defending from the Saffron’s restricted the Westmeath forwards. In the latter stages of the second half a further goal by Jude McCurdy and two points by Seaghan Shannon were added to the Saffron’s tally which saw Antrim home in the end 2-8 to 2-3 winners.

In the final, the Saffron’s came up against an extremely talented Laois team.  Laois began well and raced into a 6 point lead at the half-time break with the Saffron’s ruing failed chances to convert easy scoring opportunities. Midway through the second half, down 0-7 to 0-2, Antrim raised their game after having a player sent off.  Eoin Conlon worked tirelessly in midfield and helped to produce goals for fellow midfielder Padriag McGreevy and half-forward James Carey.  This was followed by a superbly taken long distant point from wing-back Odhran Laverty.  Laois replied and equalized in the last minute of the normal time with a free to force extra time.  In the first period of extra time, corner-forward, Emmet Martin put the Saffron’s ahead with a goal after some great play from captain Conor Christie and corner forward Dara Rocks. Further points were added by James Carey and Conor Christie to the Saffron’s tally. Although Laois rallied and scored 4 more points, the Saffron’s defended well with fullback Ryan McNulty and backs Stephen Gaskin, Deaghlan Murphy and Ryan McCollum; and Niall McNaughton in nets restricting the scoring of the Laois forward line. The game was secured for the Saffron’s when full-forward Cormac McClafferty struck the back of the net with a sublimely taken goal which saw the Saffron’s home comfortable winners by 4-5 to 0-12.

Antrim Squad:
Seaghan Shannon
Deaghlan Murphy
Dara Rocks
James Connolly
Stephen Graskin
Padraig McGreevy
Ryan McNulty
Conor McAvoy
Jude McCurdy
Eoin Conlon
James Carey
Cormac McClafferty
Stephen Walsh
Niall McNaughton
Ryan Irvine
Ryan Delargy
Ruairi Kinney
Conor Christie
Odhran Laverty
Ryan McCollum
Emmet Martin
Rory McAlister
Jack Hopkins
Stephen Garland