RuthlessAntrimmakeastatement
ANTRIM romped to victory over 13-man Meath at Portglenone yesterday to gain another valuable two points in their quest for a place in the league final.
The Saffrons took control of this game with two early goals and by the break they were 11 to the good with The Royals having lost Alan Douglas and Luke Moran to red cards.
The second half saw the hosts pull further clear and greatly improve their scoring difference, which could come into play by the end of the campaign.
Meath battled well in the early stages with the wind behind them and a pair of Padraig O’Hanrahan frees saw them lead.
However, Antrim were to strike for their first goal on five minutes when Joe Maskey found Keelan Molloy, who raced in and buried the chance.
When Eoghan Campbell found the net five minutes later, it put Antrim 2-2 to 0-3 ahead and things were already looking good for Darren Gleeson’s side.
Meath were overly reliant on O’Hanrahan for scores, while Antrim had a much better spread with Neil McManus, Niall McKenna, Gerard Walsh and Domhnall Nugent all getting in on the act to help them move 2-10 to 0-7 ahead on 33 minutes when Douglas picked up a second yellow card for a high challenge on McManus.
Things would unravel further in stoppage time when Moran — booked earlier — was shown a straight red card for dangerous use of the stick as his side trailed by 2-13 to 0-8 at the half.
There was no let up from Antrim after the break as James McNaughton raced through to find the net within the first 40 seconds and the Loughgiel man added a point straight after.
The scores continued to flow as they moved 18 clear on 45 minutes but, to their credit, Meath rallied and enjoyed a decent spell midway through the half as Antrim took their foot off the gas somewhat.
However, the hosts regained control with McManus, Aodhan O’Brien and Michael Bradley clipping over points before the latter intercepted the ball and send it to McManus, who fired to the net on 61 minutes.
The Cushendall man was in for another goal as the game approached stoppage time, although Meath did grab one through substitute Nicholas Potterson.
This was a mere consolation and a point at the other end from Ronan Molloy completed the rout as Antrim sent out a warning ahead of two crunch trips to Kerry and Offaly in the coming weeks.
Antrim scorers: Neil McManus 2-9 (0-2 frees, 0-2 65s), Keelan Molloy 1-2, Eoghan Campbell 1-2, James McNaughton 1-2, Domhnall Nugent 0-2, Niall McKenna 0-2, Aodhan O’Brien 0-2, Ronan Molloy 0-2, Gerard Walsh 0-1, Joe Maskey 0-1, Michael Bradley 0-1, Nicky McKeague 0-1
Meath scorers: Padraig O’Hanrahan 0-9 (6 frees), Nicholas Potterson 1-1, James Toher 0-2, Alan Douglas 0-1, Stephen Morris 0-1, James Kelly 0-1.
Pointing way: Gerard Walsh was on target for Antrim