Details

Date Time Competition Season
4 June 2023 3:00 pm Tailteann Cup 2023

Match Report

Antrim Pounce Late To Reach Quarter Final Berth

Goals from Oisin Doherty and Ruairi McCann in stoppage time, saw Antrim book their spot in the Tailteann Cup Quarter Finals, as they left it late to put the tie with Fermanagh to bed.

It was a close fought game and despite Fermamagh starting the second half two points down, kicking 1-4 to lead five minutes later, Antrim fought hard to get the result and the goals late in stoppage time proved the two deciding scores.

Fermanagh have to settle for second spot, lucky to not lose that to Wexford, score difference between them as they both played out a draw earlier in the group.

After both sides exchanged early points, Fermanagh started to put their stamp on proceedings, Sean Quigley pointed either side of Tommy McCaffery for a three point lead at the end of the opening quarter.

Back came the Saffrons and they soon were level, Dominic McEnhill with two frees sandwiched between an Adam Longeran point to level just after the half hour mark.

Ruairi McCann put Antrim ahead with the first of two points as they looked to be taking a two point lead to the break, McCann pointing his second in stoppage time, Quigley cancelled it out, but after seven minutes of stoppage time, Peter Healy got up from defence to point and Antrim made it 0-7 to 0-5 at the break.

Whatever was said in the Fermanagh dressing room at half time, renegerised the side at they came out for the second half, Ultan Kelm and Ryan Jones pointed inside two minutes to level the tie, before Jones buried to the net to put Fermanagh head 1-7 to 0-7 seconds later.

Kelm made it a four point game in a pulsating opening five minutes of action, but more was to come as Antrim got a foot into the game, McEnhill got them on the board with a free, before Patrick McCormick made it a two point game.

Seconds later Adam Longeran had the ball in the Fermanagh goal and the Saffrons were in front once again, but Ronan McCaffrey was able to kick over the blackspot as they replied almost immediately to level.

Michael Byrne pointed a 45 to put Antrim ahead but Garvan Jones swiftly responded for Fermanagh, Adam Longeran and Ruairi McCann made it 1-12 to 1-10 in favour of Antrim with quick scores, before Quigley nailed another free to make it a point between them.

Into stoppage time the sides would again swap points, Antrim holding out on the scoreboard 1-13 to 1-12, but goals from Oisin Doherty and McCann wrapped up the tie to see them win by seven.

Fermanagh

1Sean McNally Goalkeeper
2Luke Flanagan Defender
3Che Cullen Defender
4Lee Cullen Defender
5Stephen McGullion 18 Defender
6Jonny Cassidy Defender
7Cian McManus 17 Defender
8Ryan Jones Midfielder 39'
38'
9Brandon Horan Midfielder
10Conor McShea Forward
11Ryan Lyons 22 Forward
12Ronan McCaffrey Forward 53'
13Ultan Kelm Forward 1', 36', 41'
23Tommy McCaffrey Forward 14'
15Sean Quigley 14 Forward 12', 17', 35+3', 66'
16Jack Kelly Goalkeeper
14Darragh McGurn 15 Forward
17Garrett Cavanagh 7 Defender
18Josh Largo Ellis 5 Defender
19Declan McCusker Defender
20Aidan Breen Defender
21Oisin Smyth
22Garvan Jones 11 Forward 62', 70+2'
24Conor McGee
25Conall Jones Defender
26Ciaran Corrigan Forward

Antrim

1Michael Byrne Goalkeeper 62'
2Patrick McCormick Defender 52'
3Peter Healy Defender 35+7'
4Eoghan McCabe Defender
5Dermot McAleese 18 Defender
6Cormac McGettigan Defender
7Marc Jordan Defender
8Conor Steward Midfielder
9Cathal Hynds Midfielder
10Colm McLarnon 24 Forward
11Adam Loughran Forward 52'
28', 63'
12Ruairi McCann 23 Forward 64'
13Patrick McBride Forward
14Ruairí McCann Forward 70+5'
34', 35+2'
15Dominic McEnhill Forward 3', 24', 30', 43', 70+1'
16Luke Mulholland Goalkeeper
17Declan Lynch Defender
18Ronan Boyle 5 Defender
19Barry McCormick Defender
20Jack Dowling Defender
21Eunan Quinn Forward
22Conor Hand Forward
23Oisin Doherty 12 Forward 70+3'
24Conor Johnston 10 Forward
25Odhran Eastwood Forward
26Ryan McQuillan

Past Meetings

(Round 4)
3-9 2-13
NFL Division 3
Corrigan Park

(Round 1)
0-8 1-14
NFL Division 3
Brewster Park

Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.