Senior Hurlers Hold Off Late Antrim Charge To Claim Allianz League Win

DUBLIN 0-28 

ANTRIM 2-19 

Dublin remain undefeated in Division 1B of the Allianz National Hurling League following a hard-earned but deserved three point victory over Antrim at Parnell Park on Sunday afternoon. 

Following their encouraging draw against Waterford seven days previously, the hosts impressed sporadically in building up a sizeable advantage but the concession of two second-half goals ensured their opponents remained in touch right up until the final whistle.

Donal Burke’s ten points over the duration went a long way in helping Dublin over the line with half of the Na Fianna attacker’s scores coming from open play and it was Burke that opened the scoring in the 4th minute following a foul on Paul Crummey.

That score helped settle Dublin as they assumed control of matters thanks to further scores by wing-forward Donal Leavy and Cian Boland and their shooting from distance continued to impress following further efforts by Chris O’Leary and Conor Donohoe.

Check out the match highlights as our Senior Hurlers beat Antrim earlier in the Allianz League #UpTheDubs pic.twitter.com/ibBCzaFdkV

— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) February 12, 2023

Antrim had already spurned a brace of presentable opportunities from placed balls before they finally opened their account through a fine score by Conal Cunning.

Despite O’Leary restoring Dublin’s five-point advantage soon after, the hosts endured a sloppy period of play for the ensuing twelve minutes, failing to score and consequently, allowing the Glens men back into contention.

Michael Bradley, Cunning and James McNaughton were all on target as Antrim reduced their arrears to a solitary point by the 20th minute.

Donal Burke finally got Dublin moving with an excellent score by the terrace side four minutes later and that point helped restore confidence as the hosts put daylight between the teams following a Fergal Whitely brace and further points by Leavy and Boland.

Paddy Burke and Cunning replied for Antrim but Dublin finished the half on a high and after Conor Burke had pointed from deep approaching the break, two frees by Donal Burke saw the Dubs with a healthy 0-15 to 0-8 interval lead. 

Dublin resumed in a dominant manner as Eoghan O’Donnell, Donal Burke and Conor Burke added to their side’s tally before the industrious Liam Murphy was rewarded for his efforts with a smart score in the 45th minute.

With John Bellew and Paddy Doyle both showing well at corner-back, Dublin looked well in control but were grateful to goalkeeper Eddie Gibbons in the 48th minute, who dived full stretch to his left to repel a Neil McManus shot. 

Within two minutes, McManus was terribly unfortunate once again as his rising shot beat Gibbons but cannoned to safety off the crossbar but it was a case of third time lucky for Antrim in the 51st minute.

Conor Burke was dispossessed by Conor Johnston and the full-forward released Keelan Molloy for a clinical finish beyond the exposed Gibbons.

Crucially, Dublin responded to that setback with three points on the bounce through Darragh Power, Murphy and Aidan Mellett and they looked to be cruising home and Donal Burke and Donohoe added to their personal tallies.

However, Molloy once again showed his predatory instincts when netting in the 66th minute to reduce Antrim’s deficit to seven points and while they added four points in the closing stages, time ran out on their comeback as Dublin held on without further alarm.

Scorers – Dublin:D Burke 0-10 (5f), C O’Leary 0-3, C Donohoe, C Burke, D Leavy, C Boland, F Whitely, L Murphy 0-2 each; E O’Donnell, AMellett, D Power 0-1 each.Antrim:K Molloy 2-1, C Cunning 0-6 (2f, 1 ‘65’), N McManus 0-5 (2f), P Burke 0-2, M Bradley, N McKenna, J McNaughton, S Elliott, N O’Connor 0-1 each.

Dublin: E Gibbons; P Doyle, E O’Donnell, J Bellew; C Donohoe, C Burke, D Gray; C O’Leary, AMellett; D Leavy, D Burke, C Boland; F Whitely, L Murphy, P Crummey. Subs:D Power for Leavy (31), D Sutcliffe for Crummey (46), AJ Murphy for Whitely (58), P Smyth for Doyle (60), D Purcell for L Murphy (64).

Antrim: R Elliott; P Duffin, R McGarry, P Burke; G Walsh, E Campbell, C Bohill; M Bradley, K Molloy; N McKenna, J McNaughton, N McManus; S Elliott, C Johnston, C Cunning. Subs: N O’Connor for Duffin (32), J Maskey for McKenna (47), P Boyle for McNaughton (58), R McMullan for S Elliott (65).

Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork)