Sport

Russell sinks Antrim with late scoring spree

All-Ireland SFC qualifiers: Clare 1-43, Antrim 2-9 A point from veteran full forward Denis Russell gave Clare a well-worked …

Mon Jun 19 2006 - 01:00

All-Ireland SFC qualifiers: Clare 1-43, Antrim 2-9 A point from veteran full forward Denis Russell gave Clare a well-worked victory at Casement Park, Belfast, on Saturday.

It was a combination of character, courage and slick finishing that eventually made it a productive trip north for the Clare footballers.

If Russell emerged as their hero with his late brace of points that ultimately consigned Antrim to championship oblivion, then the three superb saves that goalkeeper Dermot O'Brien made earlier and the diligent work rate of midfielders Ger Quinlan and Peter O'Dwyer underpinned a robust, if not a sophisticated, Clare performance.

They conceded a first-minute goal when Kevin Niblock touched home a Kevin McGourty pass but were back on terms almost immediately through a Stephen Hickey penalty.

READ MORE

When they led by 1-7 to 1-4 at the break thanks to a sharp scoring blitz immediately prior to the half-time whistle, they looked much more comfortable than the home side. However, they were shaken again when Michael Magill thundered in Antrim's second goal to give the home side a 2-8 to 1-8 advantage.

Clare's resilience and appetite, though, stood them in good stead over the final minutes - as, of course, did the accuracy of Russell. They hit five points in all during this phase with Russell's final effort being particularly sweet for the visitors.

CLARE: D O'Brien; P Gallagher, C Whelan, D Kelly; K Dilleen, B Considine, N Considine (0-1); G Quinlan (0-2), P O'Dwyer (0-3); R Slattery, David Russell, M O'Dwyer (0-1); E Coughlan, Denis Russell (0-4, 0-3 frees), S Hickey (1-2, 1-0 penalty, 0-1 free). Substitutes: M O'Shea for David Russell (48 mins), D Blake for Coughlan (54 mins), F O'Dea for Hickey (70 mins).

ANTRIM: J Finnucane; A McClean, P Doherty, C Brady; A Scullion, A Convery, S Kelly; M McCann (0-2), A Gallagher; M Dougan (0-1), K McGourty, T O'Neill; P Cunningham (0-2), K Niblock (1-1), M Magill (1-1). Substitutes: O Doherty for O'Neill (29 mins), J Quinn for Niblock (half-time), C Close (0-2) for Cunningham (54 mins), K Brady for Gallagher (56 mins), C McGourty for Magill (65 mins).

Referee: S McCormack (Meath).