Antrim claimed their first Bord na Mona Walsh Shield title at Casement Park following a 2-22 to 1-9 win over DIT in the decider.

Nine players were on target for Kevin Ryan's side, including Neil McManus who top-scored with 1-9.

The sides were level on three occasions inside the opening 14 minutes, before Antrim took a lead that they wouldn't relinquish.

McManus gave Antrim a comfortable seven-point interval lead, with an injury-time goal after Paul Shiels initial goal shot was blocked by DIT goalkeeper Finn McGarry.

McGarry kept the Saffrons attack at bay for large periods of the opening half, pulling off three fine saves.

1-10 to 0-6 ahead at the break, the hosts continued their dominance on the restart with McNaughton adding his third point and Mattie Donnelly claiming a 37th minute goal.

DIT responded strongly thanks to the efforts of substitute Mike Moloney who scored 1-2 without reply between the 43rd and 49th minutes to ensure a 2-12 to 1-9 score-line.

McManus fired his third point and Antrim's first score in 12 minutes, as the hosts held a 2-13 to 1-9 lead entering the final quarter.

Antrim tagged on eight unanswered points from the 51st minute until the end, with McManus accounting for five of these scores.

After the game Antrim captain Neil McManus received the Walsh Shield from Pat Toner of the Leinster Council.

WEXFORD OR DUBLIN TO TAKE BORD NA MÓNA WALSH CUP HONOURS

Wexford and Dublin will contest this year's Bord na Móna Walsh Cup final next Sunday at 2pm in Wexford Park after semi-final wins at the weekend.

19-year old Gary Moore continues to prove to be Wexford's guiding light and fired 1-5 as Wexford booked their place in a first Bord na Móna Walsh Cup final, following a 2-18 to 0-16 win over Kilkenny on Sunday at Blackwater.

The Model County have certainly made Blackwater a fortress in recent weeks with a trio of wins in this competition - Moore on target with 1-29 in total so far.

The Glynn-Barntown clubman scored a first half penalty goal to tie the game at 1-7 to 0-10 at the interval, after Kilkenny squandered an early five-point lead mainly built up by Rory Hickey.

Wexford took control on the restart with a 50th minute goal from Podge Doran, with Moore, Eoin Doyle and PJ Nolan also on target with points in the final quarter.

With Liam Dunne's charges having another home tie to look forward too on Sunday, Wexford will be hoping to delight their supporters once again as they strive for a first Bord na Móna Walsh Cup success since 2002.

Dunne featured at right-half-back for the Slaneysiders in that decider as they beat Kilkenny by 1-13 to 1-12 at Enniscorthy.

Dublin got their competitive action for 2013 underway on Saturday, with a hard-earned 2-19 to 1-21 win over Galway at Parnell Park.

A 68th minute point from top-scorer Paul Ryan (1-7) proved vital in a game where Galway were reduced to 14 men following the dismissal of Andy Smith in the 18th minute.

This numerical disadvantage failed to deter Galway who led by 1-11 to 1-9 at the break with Jonathan Glynn netting their goal.

Niall Healy impressed with 11 points for the visitors, and with Danny Sutcliffe netting a 44th minute goal Dublin led by 2-14 to 1-14 at that stage.

Little separated the sides in the final quarter, but Dublin booked a third final appearance in four years thanks to late scores from Shane Durkin and Ryan.


MEATH AND KILDARE TO CONTEST BORD NA MÓNA KEHOE CUP DECIDER

Meath and Kildare will meet in the Bord na Móna Kehoe Cup final for the first time in the history of the competition this Sunday at 2pm in Trim after semi-final wins last weekend.

Stephen Clynch top-scored with five points as Meath were 0-17 to 0-10 winners over Wicklow at Trim.

The hosts led by 0-9 to 0-2 after 30 minutes, but had their lead cut to five points at the interval following a brace of Andy O'Brien (0-6) scores.

Wicklow cut the gap to a point by the 50th minute but Meath finished strongly with Mark O'Sullivan, Adam Gannon, James Togher, Eoin Marsh and Barry Slevin claiming scores in the final 20 minutes.

Meath will be hoping for their second title in three years and a seventh overall when they face Kildare this weekend.

Paul Divilly continues to lead by example for the Lilywhites as the Kildare captain was again goal-hungry in their 2-16 to 0-13 win over Derry at St. Conleth's Park, Newbridge on Sunday.

The Confey clubman fired 2-6, including a brace of first half goals in a game where Kildare led by 2-6 to 0-9 at the break.

Ruairi Convery kept Derry in touch with six first-half points, but Divilly's early goal flourish provided the platform for victory.

Kildare will be hoping for their first ever Bord na Móna Kehoe Cup success this weekend having lost in their three previous appearances in the decider in 1992, 2001 and 2010.


ROSCOMMON ADVANCE TO BORD NA MÓNA KEHOE SHIELD FINAL

Roscommon advanced to the Bord na Móna Kehoe Shield final following a 2-16 to 2-10 win over Queens University Belfast at St. Loman's 3G Pitch in Mullingar on Sunday.

Gerry Fallon scored nine points for the winners, who led by 1-9 to 0-2 at half-time with Naos Connaughton netting their goal.

The Connacht side moved 11 points ahead inside three minutes of the restart, but the students bounced back.

Down's Michael Conway, Armagh duo Conor Corvan and Ciaran Reid and Derry's Alan Grant helped bring QUB into contention cutting the gap to seven points as the game entered the final quarter.

A 57th minute Reid goal ensured a 1-13 to 1-8 score-line, but Roscommon rose their game with Declan Nolan netting a goal.

Grant claimed a second goal for Queen's late on, but Roscommon held out for victory.

Roscommon will face either Down or St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra in the decider with a date/time for that semi-final yet to be confirmed.

None of the sides left in this competition have taken part in the Bord na Móna Kehoe Shield final before although St. Patrick's College lost last year's Kehoe Cup decider to GMIT. Tweet

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