Johnston brace gets Antrim off to flyer

JOHNSTON earned Antrim a dramatic Joe McDonagh Cup victory with a stoppage-time goal against Offaly at Corrigan Park yesterday.

Antrim let by seven points after 57 minutes, but David Nally pulled Offaly back into the game and a goal from Paddy Clancy draw the sides level, 2-22 each, as the game entered injury time.

Eoghan Cahill edged Offaly ahead and when the Conall Cunning missed a chance to level the game, it looked like an unlikely away win.

Enter Eoghan Campbell. He manoeuvred his way inside then Offaly cover before releasing Johnston to bag his second goal of the day.

Conor McCann’s goal had the hosts 1-8 to 0-11 up at the interval.

Conor McCann set up Johnston for his first goal on 57 minutes to leave his side 2-17 to 1-16 ahead.

Nally’s goal kept Offaly in touch and their swift puck-outs continCONOR ued to keep Antrim on the defensive after every score.

Substitute Luke O’Connor and Cahill left just a puck of the ball between the teams before Joey Keenaghan played in Clancy for a goal and the sides were level.

Offaly looked the likely winners until Johnston’s cool finish.

The win sets up a mouth-watering clash with Ulster rivals Down after their four-point win over Kerry in Tralee, 1-19 to 0-18. In the other first round clash, Carlow romped to a 4-30 to 0-17 win over Meath.