The Saffrons gave Dublin an almighty game at Corrigan Park.
Last week, Antrim attracted widespread praise for giving All-Ireland hurling champions Galway a scare in Salthill. They fought and fought but ultimately came up short by three points, but they could hold their heads up high after having made the Liam MacCarthy winners really work for it.
On Sunday, they had that familiar feeling of anguish as they came up agonisingly shy against Dublin. Antrim had managed to Antrim the Dubs back to 0-22 each late on, but a late Dónal Burke free clinched it for Pat Gilroy’s men and got Dublin’s campaign up and running.
Result from Corrigan Pk pic.twitter.com/hSUtlx0hjs
— Antrim GAA (@AontroimGAA) February 4, 2018
For Antrim, it must feel as though the gods of hurling are very much working against them at the moment. Having been narrowly defeated by both Galway and Dublin in consecutive weeks, the Saffrons must feel as though their luck will soon pick up.
To lose to Dublin with the last puck of the game was a real body blow but they can once again draw encouragement from another gallant display.
In a ding-dong contest in Belfast, Dublin went in at the half-time interval with a six-point cushion. Then, after Paul Ryan made it 0-15 to 0-8 soon after the restart, Antrim came roaring back with four quick scores to reduce the deficit to three. Scores from Donal Burke, Cian McBride and Fergal Whitley restored the seven-point advantage but Antrim refused to give up the fight.
With Neil McManus finding his range, the hosts got it back to level but Burke popped up with the decisive score right at the death to break Antrim hearts and give Gilroy’s charges a much-needed win.
It came right down to the last puck of the game, but the Dubs came out on top! 💙 Commiserations to Antrim, a great battle. Thanks to all the fans that came up to support the boys in blue, safe home! ✋ #UpTheDubs pic.twitter.com/Hx4m0wmAXu
— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) February 4, 2018
