Antrim 3-23

Kildare 1-17

Antrim recovered from a slow start to overpower Kildare and retain their Joe McDonagh Cup status in sweltering conditions at the Athletic Grounds this afternoon.

Kildare raced into an early 1-1 to 0-0 lead with Jack Sheridan finding the net, but with Neil McManus in fine scoring form, Antrim stormed back to lead by 3-9 to 1-9 at half-time and they continued to hold the upper hand after the restart. The defeat is tough on Joe Quaid's side who will remain in the Christy Ring Cup next year, despite winning the competition seven days ago. The two counties issued a joint-statement on Thursday night protesting the 'unfairness and inconsideration' of the Joe McDonagh relegation/promotion playoff.

Next year's Joe McDonagh Cup will be reduced to five teams, with Meath set to join the Lilywhites in the third tier championship.

Kildare led until the 20th minute when McManus scored his first goal to give Antrim a 1-7 to 1-4 lead. The Saffrons bagged two more through McManus and Conor McCann just before half-time, the second of which came just seconds after the Christy Ring Cup champions had a goal disallowed for a square ball infringement at the other end.

Keelan Molloy, Eoin O'Neill, Nigel Elliott and Ryan McCambridge were also on target for the winners in the opening half.

McManus had brought his tally to 2-7 by the 53rd minute (he finished with 2-11 to his credit) as a fresher Antrim side gradually pulled away. The game was notable for two water breaks midway through each half.

Antrim - R Elliott; A Graffin, J Dillon (0-1), R McCambridge (0-1); P Burke, M Donnelly, C McKinley; S McCrory, E Campbell; K Molloy (0-5), N McManus (2-11, 0-6f), N Elliott (0-2); C Carson, C McCann (1-1), E O'Neill (0-1). Subs: D McKinley for R McCambridge, J McNaughton (0-1) for M Donnelly, E McCloskey for E O'Neill, S Rooney for S McCrory, D McCloskey for C Carson.

Kildare - P McKenna; C Gordon, J Doran, P Sullivan; E O'Neill, M Moloney, K Whelan (0-2); N O'Muineachain, B Byrne; J Burke (0-6, 5f), P Divilly (1-6, 0-2f), B Deay (0-2); M Delaney, M Fitzgerald, J Sheridan. Subs: C Bonus (0-1) for B Deay, D Cahill for K Whelan, S Gainey for J Burke, B Cormack for M Delaney, S Walsh for E O'Neill.

Referee - D Hughes.

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