Antrim 2-18
Carlow 1-17

Antrim survived a scare against Carlow in Dr Cullen Park today to cement their place at the top of the Leinster SHC round-robin table.

The Saffrons made it two wins from as many outings when finishing with four points to spare over their hosts following an entertaining 70 minutes.

Kevin Ryan's charges were nervously looking over their shoulder as the final whistle approached but they were able to relax once PJ O'Connell sent over the insurance point in added-on time.

The Saffrons held a two-point advantage - 1-11 to 0-12 - at the end of a closely contested first half while Paul Shiels' 10th point of the day left them 1-15 to 0-15 ahead with 20 minutes to go.

O'Connell gave them some breathing space when netting their second goal of the game but Carlow were thrown a lifeline when Marty Kavanagh netted via the penalty spot with three minutes left on the clock to leave three points between the sides.

John Meyler's men were unable to bridge the gap, however, and they remain on one point following last weekend's draw with London.

Antrin take on the Exiles in round 3 at Ballycastle next weekend while Carlow will be up against Laois in Portlaoise.

Antrim - C O'Connell; O McFadden, C McKinley, C Johnson; A Graffin, N McAuley, N McManus; E Campbell, S McRory; C Carson, P Shiels (0-11, 8f), C McManus (0-2); C Clarke (0-2, 1f), D Hamill, PJ O'Connell (2-3). Subs: B McFall for S McRory, D McKernan for D Hamill, J McGreevey for C Carson, T McCann for C Clarke.

Carlow - B Treacy; A Corcoran, P Doyle, G Kelly; HP O'Byrne, D English, R Coady (0-1); J Kavanagh (0-2), C Wall; S Kavanagh (0-2), E Byrne, J Doyle (0-1); M Kavanagh (1-4, 1-0pen, 0-1f), P Coady (0-2), D Murphy (0-3f). Subs: A Gaul (0-2) for E Byrne, D Byrne for HP O'Byrne.

Referee - F Horgan. Tweet

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