Sport

McIntosh again drives Antrim to claim spoils

Antrim 2-10 Laois 0-08: It's a long time since Antrim recorded back-to-back National Hurling League victories in the Premier…

Mon Feb 27 2006 - 00:00

Antrim 2-10 Laois 0-08: It's a long time since Antrim recorded back-to-back National Hurling League victories in the Premier Division. Last Sunday a late goal by Johnny McIntosh gave them a surprise victory over Galway.

Yesterday, they made the long journey to Portlaoise and a goal and four points from the same player guaranteed them their second brace of points in as many outings.

Laois, who suffered a heavy defeat to Kilkenny last week, were never really in this contest.

After Seán Óg McFadden had given the visitors the lead after five minutes Laois went ahead briefly with two points from frees by James Young. However, 20 minutes into the game, a defensive error saw Antrim full forward Pat Richmond score a well-taken goal.

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And once they took that lead the visitors never looked back. Both sides added two further points to leave the half-time score 1-3 to 0-4 in favour of Antrim.

Favoured by the breeze in the second half, Antrim stretched their lead with points from Brian Delargy and Brian McFaul before James Young opened the Laois account from a 65 after eight minutes.

Two minutes later the game as a contest was over. A defensive error by Laois allowed McIntosh score his side's second goal from close range.

Laois did respond with two points, but three in a row from McIntosh put the game out of reach.

Laois manager Dinny Cahill will be very disappointed with this performance, his side only managing one point from play in the entire game.

ANTRIM: D Quinn; B McAuley, M McCambridge, G Cunningham; M Molloy, K McKeegan, J Campbell; C Herron, M Herron; J McIntosh (1-4), B Delargy (0-1), M Scullion, S Óg McFadden (0-1); P Richmond (1-1), B McFaul (0-2). Subs: B Quinn (0-1) for B McFaul; M Gettins for M Scullion; J Scullion for S Óg McFadden; J McKernan for G Cunningham; B McDermott for B McAuley.

LAOIS: P Mullaney; P Mahon, P Cuddy, O Bergin; J Hyland, S Dwyer, M McEvoy; J Walsh, E Meagher (0-1); P Russell, J Young (0-7), J Brophy; E Jackman, J Rowney, D Culleton. Subs: K O'Keeffe for J Rowney; J Phelan for J Walsh.

Referee: F Smith (Meath).