Antrim Defend Their Ulster Title In Style In Boston

Ulster Hurling Final
Antrim 2-20 New York 1-14

In Boston on Sunday, the boys from the Glens of Antrim won their 5th Ulster hurling title in a row this time wining historically on foreign soil and did so empathetically running out easy winners over an outclassed new York outfit.

In this first ever playing of an Ulster Hurling Final in Boston, the long awaited conclusion to the infamous on-off clash, produced a scenario of Antrim always showing in front of a New York side who never really came to grips with Antrim's lively attacking unit with the full forward line of Antrim causing damage and strife all afternoon.

Trailing for most of the game, New York did manage to close the gap to get within three early in the second half after their best period in the game returned an unanswered 1-03, the major coming from sub, Trevor Fletcher who dispatched efficiently to the Antrim net.

But Antrim who always seemed to have an extra gear if needed, upped the tempo again and a bullet off the ground by Paddy Richmond, with the excellent Johnny

McIntosh letting fly at the same time making the tagging of the goal-scorer a trite difficult as the ball flashed blindingly into the net for a brilliant goal.

This strike seemed to kill off New York dreams and Antrim jogged home thereafter winning the last quarter by a comfortable five points to two with a healthy nine points margin at the final whistle.

After a tame opening, New York did manage to sneak into an early three minute lead when their best forward Kieran Bergin slotted over from the side.

Immediately after Antrim's own version of their best attacker, Johnny McIntosh, split the posts before the same player angled a beauty between the uprights and his marker Matt Mitchell was in trouble.

Two more points from full forward Paddy Richmond and the speedy right wing forward, Joseph Scullion followed without reply and New York in arrears by four after just six minutes of play looked to be out of their depth.

Soon after, New York's ace marksman, Michael 'Bonnie' Kennedy sent over a much needed free but two minutes later, McIntosh gathered nicely on the '40 and carving a path through the feeble Big Apple rearguard goaled without fuss.

New York did better approaching the 20th minute and did concede three more white flags but at least they answered this time with three of their own. Scullion, McIntosh and wing back Ciaran Herron had obliged for the 'Glens' men with Kennedy (free), Bergin and Hugh O'Leary pointing for the big city boys.

Bergin had now switched to the center of attack to stem the influence of Antrim's half back unit who up to now had rarely left a sliothar past their watch.

Antrim's Brian McFall shot a fine brace, one a lovely sideline cut to increase the lead once more to eight with his side playing good hurling and looking capable of more.

Meanwhile, the bodhran beating Big Apple contingent in the fine crowd kept up a steady support cheering on their boys and nearing the half their side had pulled to within five but Antrim sensing danger applied pressure anew with the impressive McIntosh sending two more over the bar while center back Karl Meegan measured a 65 to perfection.

Antrim fully deserved their eight point lead with the half time scores reading 1-14 to 0-9.

New York continued to battle away in the second and were rewarded with the Fletcher major after only three minutes of the restart.

After Antrim's and Richmond's major on the 46th minute, the lead was down to three with New York still in close proximity. But four bad wides were precious opportunities wasted, and, one after the other, alas New York's life bled further away with time ticking on all the while.

New York did pressure a goal line save from Antrim but a misfired effort from sub Colin White didn't help the Big Apple cause.

New York's hopes took a further blow nearing the final whistle when Bonnie Kennedy saw a second yellow but the result by that time had been well drafted and the sending off was of little consequence.

In the end Antrim were just too good and in the final stretch never missed a jump, scoring when they should and in all honesty cantered to the finish line untroubled.

Best for New York were Richie Gaule in defense and Kieran Bergin and Bonnie Kennedy in attack with Liam O'Conner at midfield contributing.

All Antrim's back line did well, while upfront McIntosh was class throughout, with his fellow full forward partners, Richmond and McFall splendid and each were a handful every time they got possession as were Joseph Scullion and Michael Herron. C

Teams and Scorers:
Antrim: D. Quinn, B. McAuley, J. McKeauge, J. Cambell, M. Molloy, K. McKeegan 0-1 (65'), C. Herron 0-1, C. Cunning 0-1, M. Scullion 0-1 J. Scullion 0-1, K. Kelly, M. Herron 0-2, J. McIntosh 1-6 (0-1fr) , P. Richmond 1-2, B. McFall 0-4 (0-1 sdl). Subs G. Bell for M. Molloy, B. Delargy for Kelly, P. McGill for McIntosh (ht.) M. Dallas 0-1 for M. Scullion.
New York: A. Gleeson, P. Wickham, R. Gaule, M. Mitchell, H. O'Leary 0-1, T. Moylan, A. Guinan, L. O'Conner, T. Maher, M. Kennedy 0-7 (fr's), J. Madden, P. Murray, K. Bergin 0-4, M. Finn, K. Kennedy 0-1. Subs, S. Corrigan for P. Wickham, T. Fletcher 1-1 for T. Maher, C. White for J. Madden, K. McKay for H. O'Leary.