Antrim 2-10 Wicklow 1-7
Two second half goals saw Antrim return to winning ways in Division Three of the Allianz Football League on Saturday at the expense of Wicklow.
The hosts made a much better start, going 0-4 to 0-0 ahead after 16 minutes with Ruairi McCann pointing either side of scores from Ryan Murray and Odharan Eastwood.
Wicklow responded with Kevin Quinn thumping to the net straight away and a Mark Kenny point brought them level, but Antrim responded well with Kevin Small and Eastwood scoring in quick succession and they really should have had a goal, but Jamie Gribbin was twice unable to turn the ball home from close range.
They were punished with the visitors getting back on terms again and while Ryan Murray appeared to give Antrim a lead going into the break, an Oisin McGraynor free with the last kick of the half left the sides level, 0-7 to 1-4.
After an exchange of points early in the second period, Antrim bagged their first goal on 40 minutes after a quick exchange of passes resulted in Marc Jordan blasting home.
Andy Maher hit back with a Wicklow point, but goal chances came and went at both ends with Tomás McCann denied by a square ball in the build-up and Kevin Small rattling the bar for Antrim, while Rory Stokes flashed a shot across goal at the other end.
The hosts led by three deep in stoppage time when they finally sealed their win when Conor Murray thumped to the net.
Antrim: O Kerr; E McCabe, R Johnston, P McCormick; P McAleer, J Laverty, P Healy; M McCann, K Small (0-1); R Muray (0-2), J Gribbin, M Jordan (1-0); T McCann (0-1), R McCann (0-3, 1 free), O Eastwood (0-2).
Subs: C Murray (1-1) for E McCabe (HT), P McBride for P McAleer (50 mins), S McGarry for T McCann (55 mins), M Johnston for M Jordan (59 mins), P Shivers for R Johnston (68 mins).
Wicklow: S Doyle; P O'Keane, M Stone, N Devereux; Z Cullen, N Donnelly, E Murtagh (0-1), D Healy, P O'Toole; A Maher (0-1), M Kenny (0-3, 2 frees), D Fitzgerald (0-1); O McGraynor (0-1 free), K Quinn (1-0), E Darcy.
Subs: T Moran for N Devereux (HT), R Stokes for E Darcy (50 mins), JP Hurley for K Quinn (64), C Maguire for Z Cullen (70 mins)
Referee: Paul Faloon (Down)
