Antrim prove no match for Clare in Cushendall

Antrim 1-19, Clare 2-30

THIS was perhaps the toughest test the Saffrons were going to face in Division 1B of the National hurling league and the All Ireland champions of two years back duly obliged.
That smash and grab raid against Wexford in their opening game of the campaign and despite changes made including a new 'keeper they were well beaten by a 14 point margin,
Played in Cushendall hopes were high of a unlikely victory but, as it turned out, it took a series of outstanding saves from Cormac McFadden between the sticks to prevent the difference in the scoreboard from being even greater.
Played in late winter sunshine, the Saffrons did little wrong.
For the opening 20 minutes or so, it was an even and competitive game but when Clare went up a gear they soon put daylight between the sides.
There are times in this game when you just have to tip your hat and say ‘well done’ and this was one of them. Clare were outstanding as Brian Lohan’s side showed why they are favourites to make a return to Division 1A.
Clare started strongly and had a five point lead early in the game with Rodgers, David Reidy and Kelly all among the scorers.
The Antrim lads began to grow into the game with Paul Boyle, Seaan Elliott and James McNaughton all causing problems while Seán McKay nailed a point from distance that lifted the spirits of the Antrim supporters in a big crowd at Páirc Naomh Mhuire.
Four points separated the side when McFadden produced an outstanding save to deny Meehan but the Clare forward had better luck with his next chance.
Darragh Lohan pass found Meehan who had work to do but he showed great composure to take his chance.
Further scores followed, Rodgers hitting two and David Fitzgerald and Meehan one each to make it 1-4 without reply in the space of four minutes to put the former All Ireland champions 11 in front.
Just another example, if it were needed, of the clinical nature of hurling in Division One.
Clare held a nine point lead at the break with a couple of late scores from Elliott and Seán Duffin helping the Saffrons cause and, just like the first half, Antrim started the second half strongly, matching the visitors with Conal Cunning, Ryan McCambridge and Elliott all getting on the scoresheet.
McFadden produced a quite brilliant double save in the nineteenth minute to deny both Rodgers and Peter Duggan, the second while off his feet but somehow stopping the sliotar from crossing the line.
The second Clare goal came moments later and it’s one McFadden won’t want to see again.
A poor puck out was punished fully with David Fitzgerald showing his class with an unorthodox finish.
With 15 points between the sides at this stage it looked like it would be a bleak final ten minutes for the Saffrons but Cunning’s goal gave them a shot in the arm at the perfect time but the Banner finished strongly with Kelly taking centre stage.
The introduction of Shane O’Donnell brought about one of the biggest cheers of the day and showcased the strength in depth available to Brian Lohan and Clare as they ran out comfortable winners.
Talisman Mark Rodgers received the man of the match award with a final tally of 11 points, five coming from open play, while their goals came in either half from Shane Meehan and David Fitzgerald.
Ruairi McCloskey was Tony Kelly’s shadow for the majority of the contest and largely kept the great man quiet or as quiet as you keep a man of his talents.
Kelly is one of those players that is impossible to stop, you suffer him and try to keep that ‘pain’ as minimal as possible.
He scored five points, three of those in the last five minutes of the game.
Seaan Elliott top scored for the Saffrons, all of his 10 points coming from placed balls but he had another strong performance.
Elliott came in for some heavy tackles from the Clare defence, especially in the first half with the Banner side clearly having their homework done.
Antrim struggled to get any change from a brilliant Clare defence in the first half with Clare’s speed of thought, stick work and physicality all a level above where Antrim are currently.
Defensively, McCormick, Joe Maskey and Paddy Burke caught the eye while the introduction of Keelan Molloy and Jack McCloskey in the second half breathed life and impetus into the Antrim challenge.
Conal Cunning scored the Antrim goal in the 59th minute.
Keelan Molloy heavily involved in the build up with the Antrim captain showing his predatory instincts with a sight of goal.
The goal came soon after Clare’s second and at a time when the visitors to Cushendall were threatening to really stretch away but Antrim kept battling away.
Antrim are on the road again this weekend when they play Kildare as the chase for league points continues with the road beginning to run out while Clare welcome Down to the Banner county.

Antrim: Cormac McFadden; Ruairi McCormick, Eoin McFerran, Paddy Burke; Stephen Rooney, Seán McKay (0-1), Joe Maskey (0-1); Ryan McCambridge (0-1), Eoin O’Neill; Scott Walsh, Paul Boyle, Seán Duffin (0-1); Seaan Elliott (0-10), James McNaughton, Conal Cunning (1-1)

Replacements: Joseph McLaughlin for S McKay; Conor Johnston for P Boyle; Jack McCloskey (0-2) for R McCambridge; Keelan Molloy (0-2) for E O’Neill; Keelan McCann for S Walsh

Clare: Eamon Foudy; Dylan McMahon, Conor Cleary, Rory Hayes; Diarmuid Ryan (0-2), John Conneally, Cathal Malone (0-1); Darragh Lohan (0-1), Ryan Taylor (0-2); Peter Duggan, Tony Kelly (0-5), David Fitzgerald (1-1); Shane Meehan (1-3), David Reidy (0-1), Mark Rodgers (0-11)

Replacements: Conor Leen for R Hayes; Jack Kirwan (0-2) for D Reidy; Shane O’Donnell (0-1)for P Duggan; Senan Dunford for S Meehan.