Defeats for Antrim and Down in hurling league

Antrim and Down came up empty-handed in their National Hurling League Division 1B openers on the road.

Davy Fitzgerald’s Saffrons seemed to be on course for victory at Wexford Park, but a last-gasp goal from Mark Fanning snatched a 1-13 to 1-12 win for Wexford.

In Carlow, Down fell to a 2-18 to 1-11 defeat after the hosts overturned a four-point deficit at the break to power on.

The Mournemen lost Ruairi McCrickard to a red card after the Barrowsiders had scored 2-3 early in the second period.

Last-gasp Fanning goal breaks Antrim hearts

Fanning broke Antrim hearts at Wexford Park as the Wexford goalkeeper’s last-gasp goal snatched victory for his side.

In trying conditions, Antrim had the wind for the first half and Seaan Elliott converted three placed balls to open a two-point gap with Conor Hearne hitting back for the hosts before Antrim grabbed their first from play through newcomer Sean Duffin.

Ryan McCambridge got in on the act, but it remained hard-fought with Wexford growing into the game with two from Simon Roche levelling.

The sides traded before Paddy Burke edged Antrim ahead once more with further points from the returning Conal Cunning and Elliott helping the Saffrons into a 0-9 to 0-6 lead at the break.

Cunning and James Byrne exchanged points early in the second half before both teams were reduced to 14 players with Antrim’s Gerard Walsh being shown a straight red and Wexford’s Richie Lawlor a second yellow after an off-the-ball tangle.

It remained a battle with the sides trading frees as Antrim held a three-point lead heading into the final 10 minutes, but Wexford gained a bit of momentum with Darren Codd’s point followed by two frees from Roche to level the game going into stoppage time.

However, Antrim hit back with Joseph McLaughlin making the break and Conor Johnston applied the finish to give Davy Fitzgerald’s side the lead once more.

Jack Redmond hit back and with the last play, Wexford snatched the win as a free brought forward was buried by goalkeeper Fanning to break Antrim hearts.

Second half blitz helps Carlow past 14-man Down

A dominant second half display from Carlow saw them turn a four-point half-time deficit into a 10-point victory over 14-man Down at Cullen Park.

Down had looked well-placed at the break, but a blitz of 2-3 from the hosts early in the second period followed by a red card for Down’s McCrickard flipped the game firmly the way of the Barrowsiders.

After an even opening 10 minutes with the sides level at 0-3 apiece, Down enjoyed a flurry with three scores with Pearse Og McCrickard pointing either side of a Ben Taggart effort.

Carlow replied through Donagh Murphy and Jack Treacy before McCrickard and Martin Kavanagh traded frees.

Following another exchange from Cahal Coleman and Kavanagh, Down grabbed a goal two minutes before the break through Liam Savage which helped them into a 1-9 to 0-8 lead at the half.

Carlow flew out of the traps in the second period with the opening three points before a John Michael Nolan goal in the 41st minute put them back in front for the first time since the seventh minute and Murphy bagged another two minutes later.

It got worse for Down in the 47th minute as McCrickard was shown a red card and while Coleman grabbed their first score of the second half soon after, Carlow rattled off the next six to move out of sight.

Eoin Pucci did end a barren 24 minutes for Down, but Paddy Boland had the final say for Carlow who claimed the opening win.

Kerry romp to victory over Derry

In Division Two, Derry suffered a 5-23 to 0-12 defeat at home to a rampant Kerry.

Early goals from Daniel Casey and Colin Walsh set the Kingdom on their way and while Deaglan Foley got the Oak Leafers off the mark from a 65, a third Kerry goal from Oisin Maunsell helped the visitors pull further clear and leading 3-15 to 0-5 at the half, were virtually out of sight.

Foley and Shea Cassidy battled well for Derry, but their day went from bad to worse as they were reduced to 14 players with two late goals from Ronan Walsh putting the cap on an impressive win for Kerry.

Armagh fell to a 1-12 to 1-15 loss at home to Lough in Division Three.

The Orchard men looked to be in position when battling back from six down to level through an Aaron Cullinane goal with 69 minutes played, but the Wee County responded with 1-2 from Ciaran McKelvey in added time to take the win.

In Division Four, Cavan opened with a 3-13 to 1-13 home win over Warwickshire, but Monaghan fell to a 2-20 to 0-8 home defeat to Sligo, while Longford edged out Leitrim 2-17 to 0-20.

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