Heartbreak for hurlers

Heartbreak for hurlers

28 July 2021

THREE goals chances and none taken; two goal chances and both capitalised upon. This was ultimately the difference between these two evenly matched Ulster rivals. 

Niall McGarrel and Jack McCloskey with goals either side of the half time break proved to be the thin blue line that separated the sides in this all-Ulster Leinster U-17 B hurling final.

Antrim were full value for their win, but they never had a game that hanged so much in the balance until they met their so-called provincial upstarts.

The sides had met less than three weeks previously with the Glens men thankful for a flurry of late scores that flattered their six-point winning performance in Portaferry Park. 

Sean, Barry, Marty, Peter and Frank took more away from that defeat than just a relegation to the Peadar Ó Laitháin Cup.

The chance of redeeming pride in the red and black and upsetting a few favourites was utmost in their desires for this ever-improving squad – a point that was echoed by Down 

manager Sean Young after the game. 

“I hate to single any one player out as this was very much a squad effort from the entire panel, all pushing to make each other better,” he said. 

“It’s a shame we have to name 24 on a match day, as in my opinion they all should be available, as they all put the same effort in.”

Unfortunately, Antrim, like many other teams, suffered from the blight that has scourged this land and had to withdraw from the A competition due to Covid-19. 

When they returned to play, a slender one-point win over Carlow in the U-17 B semi-final set the Saffs on course for a mouth-watering rematch with Young’s vastly improved warriors.

Looking to retain their title, the Mourne county had outwitted and out hurled both Westmeath and Meath when lesser teams would have wilted. 

For anyone who had the pleasure of following their progress it was obvious that they were only kicking into gear and like a sleeping giant, were about to roar into action.

Played under the sweltering heat of Corrigan Park as temperatures dipped slightly under the thirty mark, this did not detract from the intensity of the opening half of the game. 

Down were determined to not let Antrim get the start they did in the earlier round and burst into a two-point lead in the opening five minutes. 

Michael Dorrian playing at full forward was proving to be a master stroke, as he fired over McAuley’s crossbar inside the opening minute with Tiernan Connelly dissecting the posts through a forty-metre free three minutes later. 

Antrim did respond with two of their own and things looked ominous for Down seconds later when Donegal referee James Connors pointed to the spot, as Antrim were deemed to have been unfairly impeded in the square.

Sighs of relief echoed from the Down sideline when Pearse Smyth brilliantly saved McGarel’s resulting penalty and within moments Tiernan Connelly had put Down in front again with less than fifteen minutes gone.

Minutes later, Antrim’s McGarry fed the sliotar across the goals to McGarrel who rifled to the Down net for a two-point Antrim advantage. 

There was a worry that this could be déjà vu for Down, with many questioning if Antrim were going to seize the advantage like they had three weeks earlier and make Down have to chase the game.

A Connelly free and a second Dorrian point from an acute angle was added to when Down scored an inspirational point that was to lift the team before the break. 

Wing back Rory Corcoran picked up a loose ball at midfield and from close to the side-line he fired over Down seventh point of the half much to the rapturous cheers of the crowd, Down showed that they weren’t going to be as easily rattled this time around.

The sides retired at the break on level terms 0-7 to 1-4, but it was the visitors who at this stage had their tails up and were looking to capitalise in the second half. 

When the teams returned to the field for the third quarter, they served up a pulsating game that swung from end to end, the introduction of Callum O’Neill saw the substitute convert a free to nudge the visitors in front, only for Connor Dickson to level proceeding again moments later. 

It was tit for tat as Dorrian and O’Neill pointed in reply to Antrim’s Daire McMullan and with 44 minutes played 

Down were dealt a blow that ultimately would cost them the result. 

Jack McCloskey, who had come on at half time for the Saffs, was fed the sliotar and as Smyth advanced to intercept, 

he slipped his low shot underneath the Down ‘keeper and into the corner of the net.

Down replied well and went into the final water-break with three further points and a slender one-point lead, Turpin, Dorrian and Rice with the all-important scores.

As the heat and intensity of the game started to take their toll on the players, it was Antrim who pushed hardest with McGarel scoring three points in the remaining twelve minutes whilst Down could only manage a single Callum O’Neill free with time fast running out. 

Antrim held on for the victory, but never had they been as close to falling to their gallant neighbours in such an entertaining final.

An immensely proud Down manager reflected on the result and what could have been. 

“Obviously we are disappointed in not retaining the title. When you beat Westmeath and Meath in a competition, you’d probably expect to win it, but it wasn’t to be,” Young said.

“I suppose there was a period within the last ten where we had opportunities to push two or three points ahead and a clean goal chance that at any other time we would have converted, but that’s the rub of the green you need.”

Although beaten on the day, the margin of defeat and the improvement over the last few weeks was pointed out.

“It’s been a while since a Down minor team ran Antrim close, so to close the gap is probably seen as a step forward, although the win was on the table.

“Credit is due to both sets of players for such an entertaining game in those conditions. I suppose we just ran out of legs with having two games in five days, the bench was influential again and provided us with the energy needed at times,” he continued.

“My thanks to the back-room team for all the dedication shown and for the support from the county board in the way these teams are looked after.”

Young thanked those who travelled, with the red and black far out numbering the home support, and he wished the players good luck in the future with U-20 and senior county teams. 

“Our support was fantastic and was great to see so many spectators at the game. Hopefully these lads can now push on and develop with their clubs and return to represent the county at U-20 and senior level as that’s what this is all about, providing our next senior squad.”

Down: P Smyth, O McGrattan, D Mallon, M Duffy, D Magee, F Turpin (0-2), R Corcoran (0-1), F Casey, F Gilmore, M Dorrian (0-3), T Connelly (0-3), C Lenaghanne, M Doran, B Rice (0-1), O Birt.

Subs: D Cunningham for McGrattan, C O’Neill (0-4) for Lenaghanne, A Rogan for Cunningham, J Roddy for Gilmore, C Fowler for Rice.

Antrim: C McAuley, F Henry, R McCormick, D Mooney, E McCartan, D McMullan (0-1), D Kearney, O Gillen, C Dickson (0-2), A McGarry, C McKeown, J McLoughlin, N McGarel (1-6), D Quinn, D Patterson.

Subs: J McCloskey (1-1) for McLoughlin, A McGarrigle (0-1) for McKeown, P McKillop for Quinn, J Bakewell for Patterson, R Mort for Gillen.

Antrim 2-11

Down 0-14

Peadar Ó Laitháin Cup final