Hayes ends the Dublin drought with decisive goal
IT TOOK more than 200 minutes for Dublin to finally grab a goal in the Allianz NHL, but Ronan Hayes’ decisive pearler at Parnell Park was probably worth the wait.
Without a goal from their previous ties against Kilkenny and Laois, Mattie Kenny’s men were thwarted several times before eventually netting in the 54th minute, putting them 10 points up and killing the contest.
The win was first blood to the Dubs, with their Leinster SHC quarter-final tie in Navan on June 26 in mind. But boss Mattie Kenny dismissed talk of a psychological advantage. The hosts had 13 different scorers, with Donal Burke striking 0-7 and bringing his tournament takings to 0-32.
‘We know from past history that it’s not significant at all, winning a league game like this,’ argued Kenny. ‘Championship is knockout hurling and it’s always about what happens on the day. Every match in the Championship is a kind of a cup final and we’ll have to go out again and get a result on that day.
‘Antrim are a fine team with some really good performers. They’re physically strong and very fit. They’ll be a huge challenge for us again next month.’
Antrim boss Darren Gleeson was frustrated with his team and claimed they only played in patches. The Joe McDonagh Cup champions enjoyed a decent first quarter and were level four times.
But they switched off then and were punished as Dublin reeled off seven points in a row to surge 0-13 to 0-6 up at half-time.
Ciran Clarke missed a number of frees but Neil McManus pulled back a consolation penalty.
DUBLIN: S Brennan; C O’Callaghan, E O’Donnell, A Dunphy; S Moran (P Smyth 70), L Rushe (J Madden 56), D Gray; J Malone (R McBride 56), C Burke; C Crummey, D Burke, D Sutcliffe (J Hetherton 50); C Boland (D Keogh 59), R Hayes (P Crummey 65), C O’Sullivan (E Dillon 50). Scorers: D Burke 0-7 (0-4f, 0-1 65), R Hayes 1-0, D Gray, D Sutcliffe 0-3, C Boland, C Crummey, C Burke, J Hetherton 0-2, J Malone, S Moran, C O’Sullivan, P Crummey, D Keogh 0-1.
ANTRIM: R Elliott; D McMullan, G Walsh, S Rooney (S Shannon 55); E Campbell, P Burke, J Maskey (R McCambridge 58); K Molloy, M Bradley (D McCloskey 45); N McManus, J McNaughton, N McKenna; C Cunning (E O’Neill 55), D Nugent (C Johnston h/t), C Clarke (P Duffin 46). Scorers: N McManus 1-2 (1-0 pen, 0-01f), C Clarke (0-4f), N McKenna 0-4, J McNaughton 0-3 (0-2f), C Johnston, K Molloy 0-2, E Campbell 0-1.
REFEREE: S Cleere (Kilkenny).