Antrim senior hurling team manager Davy Fitzgerald.
Allianz Hurling League Division 1B
Carlow 1-21 Antrim 2-18
By Kieran Murphy at Netwatch Cullen Park
There was a dramatic end to this National Hurling League Division 1B encounter at Netwatch Cullen Park on Sunday when Antrim’s Gerard Walsh, scored a late, late goal from a 73rd minute free. The Carlow defence may have been caught napping, but such was his expertise, credit to the midfielder for the execution of his 35-metre delivery.
It gave the visitors a draw and sets them up nicely next weekend in Ballycastle when they meet Laois. It was probably deserved as Antrim had missed a penalty and Conor Johnston also had a shot which hit the bottom right hand upright and rebound to a home defence, who cleared the danger.
Carlow led 1-11 to 0-8 at the interval with Chris Nolan scoring the goal finding the net on 28 minutes. James Doyle also hit three points from play. In reply, Eoghan Campbell scored two points for Antrim and James McNaughton also landed three to keep the visitors in touch against an eager home side.
Nolan opened the second half scoring for Carlow, but Antrim hit back with Johnston picking off two points in quick succession. McNaughton’s successful free taking also kept probing away at Carlow’s resolve.
The penalty came with 10 minutes remaining when Paul Doyle fouled McNaughton. The defender was black-carded, but McNaughton's subsequent shot was saved by Brian Tracey.
Playing with 14 players, Carlow hit back with a Conor Kehoe point and Marty Kavanagh also converted a brace of frees. McNaughton and Eoin McFerran points, coupled with a Johnston goal set up the tense finish, and Walsh conjured an unlikely equaliser.
Scorers for Carlow: C Nolan 1-4 (1 sideline), M Kavanagh 0-7 (5fs, 65), F Fitzpatrick, C Whelan 0-2 each, James Doyle 0-3, J Nolan, T Joyce, C Kehoe 0-1 each.
Antrim: J McNaughton 0-8 (6fs), C Johnston 1-2, G Walsh 1-0 (f), E Campbell 0-2, R McCambridge, E McFerran, C Bohill, N Elliott, C McKeown, K Molloy 0-1 each.
Carlow: Brian Tracey: Paidi O’Shea, Dion Wall, Paul Doyle; Fiachra Fitzpatrick, Kevin McDonald, Jack McCullagh; Evan Kealy, Ciaran Whelan; Jon Nolan, Marty Kavanagh, John Doyle; Conor Kehoe, Chris Nolan, James Doyle.
Subs: Paddy Boland for J Nolan (53), Ted Joyce for John Doyle (59), Donagh Murphy for Kehoe (63).
Antrim: Ryan Elliott, Eoin McFerran, Paddy Burke, Stephen Rooney; Joe Maskey, Eoin Campbell, Conal Bohill; Niall O’Connor, Gerard Walsh; Ryan McCambridge, Keelan Molloy, Nigel Elliott; Eoin O’Neill, James McNaughton, Conor Johnston.
Subs: Cormac McKeown for O’Neill (31), Joseph McLaughlin for McCambridge (65).
Referee: Chris Mooney (Dublin).
