Naomh Eanna (Antrim) 2-11

Mullahoran (Cavan) 1-10

Antrim football received a huge boost at the Athletic Grounds this evening when Naomh Eanna were crowned Ulster club intermediate champions at the expense of Mullahoran.

Goals in either half from Kristian Healy and Joe Maskey helped the Glengormley outfit to a famous victory. Mullahoran, who needed two periods of extra-time to see off Derry champions Banagher in the semi-final, hit the woodwork three times, but St Enda's were still full value for their win.

After Kristian Healy and Enda O'Reilly had traded early points, Healy rattled the net in the 11th minute to hand the Belfast men the early initiative. They went on to lead by 1-5 to 0-5 at the break with free-taker Odhran Eastwood, Eoin Nagle and Conan Lyttle adding points and corner back Callum Mussi, PP Galligan and O'Reilly replying for the Dreadnoughts.

The Cavan champions were level within four minutes of the restart thanks to a trio of points from Sean McKeogh, Enda O'Reilly and Colm O'Reilly, but they couldn't get their noses in front as Eoin Nagle edged Naomh Eanna ahead once again.

Ruairi Scott and Eastwood restored their three-point advantage before Maskey's 52nd minute goal made it 2-8 to 0-8 after Cormac O'Reilly had rattled the crossbar at the other end just moments earlier.

Mullahoran didn't give up and Killian Brady won a penalty which Enda O'Reilly converted, but it was a case of too little, too late as St Enda's celebrated an historic success. 

Naomh Eanna - P Flood; K Jennings, M McNamee, D McNulty; C Lyttle (0-1), J McAuley, C McAuley; R Kennedy, J Maskey (1-0); P Healy, R Scott (0-2), K Healy (1-1); E Gibson, O Eastwood (0-4, 3f), E Nagle (0-3). Subs: C O'Neill for R Kennedy, D Gault for E Gibson.

Mullahoran - S Briody; C Mussi (0-1), T McGahern, Cian O'Reilly; P Brady, M Hynes, Colm O'Reilly (0-1); K Brady, P Galligan (0-1); R Lynch, E O'Reilly (1-6, 1-0pen, 0-5f), S McKeogh (0-1); G Brady, P Brady, Cormac O'Reilly. Subs: S Shiels for P Galligan, D Smith for Colm O'Reilly, B McArdle for S McKeogh.

Referee - D Mullan.

Champions https://t.co/jqpyfpzgfg

— Antrim GAA (@AontroimGAA) December 1, 2018

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