Antrim hold on for opening Joe McDonagh Cup win
Antrim are off the mark in the Joe McDonagh Cup with a 1-22 to 4-9 victory over London in Ruislip. Following a turbulent couple of weeks which followed their defeat by Laois, the Saffrons held on in the face of a late London rally to significantly ease any relegation fears, with the Exiles now rooted to the bottom of the table. It was something of a stress test for Davy Fitzgerald's side that looked to be powering home when leading by nine with 10 minutes to play, but the hosts made it an uncomfortable finish with three goals down the stretch before losing Padraig Muldoon to a second booking and James McNaughton's pointed free finally put the issue to bed.
There was little to choose between the teams for much of the opening half with Seaan Elliott landing half of Antrim's 10 points, while Ronan McGrady notched four for the hosts, yet Antrim held a 0-10 to 0-7 advantage with Conal Cunning (two), Keelan Molloy, Conor Johnston and Conall Bohill also on target. Paul Boyle stretched the gap early in the second period before London hit the first of their goals through Paul Kennedy and a McGrady free levelled it. Antrim replied with the next three points and after London's Sean Glynn hit back, Cunning found the net for Antrim who tagged on another four points to move nine ahead.
Glynn replied with London's second goal, but points from Jack McCloskey, Molloy and McNaughton initially eased Antrim nerves. However, goals from Jack Morrissey and Conor Byrne reduced the gap to three in added time as London threatened a great escape, but Muldoon's second caution was further punished by McNaughton from the free as Antrim claimed a badly-needed win.