All-Ireland SHC: Waterford goals leave Antrim floundering

July 05, 2008

Waterford's Eoin McGrath feels the challenge from Antrim's Johnny Campbell during the All-Ireland SHC qualifier at Walsh Park
Waterford 6-18 Antrim 0-15 The concession of six goals proved fatal for Antrim as Davy Fitzgerald's term as Waterford manager got off to a winning start at Walsh Park. Following their harrowing loss to Galway last weekend Antrim were keen to show some good form this time out and they landed the first two scores of the game as Paul Shiels and Michael Herron were on target. However, this was a day of Deise goals and just five minutes in Eoin Kelly had the sliothar in the Antrim net before Shiels levelled the game with an Antrim point. Eoin McGrath pointed for the home side but Antrim were not going to lie down and scores from Shiels and PJ O'Connell had them 0-5 to 1-1 ahead. If the home crowd were getting nervy, they had little to worry about as Waterford began to get to grips with life post the Justin McCarthy era. John Mullane grabbed the Diese's second goal and Dan Shanahan followed with a point, before Antrim responded with two points, from Shiels and Shane McNaughton. But from there to the break it was all Waterford as Mullane grabbed another goal and just before the interval Eoin Kelly grabbed his second major of the half to leave his side 4-6 to 0-10 up at the break. It was crucial that Antrim start the second period the same way as the first but instead the Waterford attack went into point scoring mode as they bagged eight of the next ten points in the game before Stephen Molumphy hit goal number five with 20 minute still to play. When dual star Gary Hurney goaled soon after the game was up for Antrim and in the final quarter the pace slowed as both sides' thoughts moved onto further challenges. For Waterford it is a round 4 meeting with one of the beaten Munster or Leisnter semi-finalaists, while Antrim's thoughts go onto a relegation playoff. Waterford - C Hennessy; E Murphy, K McGrath, D Prendergast; S O'Sullivan, T Browne, J Kennedy; M Walsh, D Bennett (0-1); E Kelly (2-3, 3f), G Hurney (1-0), S Molumphy (1-0); E McGrath (0-5), D Shanahan (0-4), J Mullane (2-2). Subs - J Nagle (0-2) for Bennett, B Phelan for Browne, P Flynn (0-1) for Hurney, R Foley for Walsh, T Feeney for Prendergast. Antrim - R McGarry; A Graffin, C Donnelly, J McKeague; C Herron (0-1), K McKeegan, J Campbell; E McCloskey, PJ O'Connell (0-2); S McNaughton (0-1), K Stewart (0-2), B Quinn (0-1); M Herron (0-1), P Richmond, P Shiels (0-7, 5f). Ref - M Haverty (Galway).

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