Scoring hero Conal Cunning says honesty and hard work has been the foundation to Antrim's hurling success.

In what was a thrilling Joe McDonagh Cup final at Croke Park yesterday, the Saffrons needed all five goals from Ciaran Clarke (2), James McNaughton, Sean Elliott and man-of-the-match Cunning, who finished with 1-12 to his name, to fend off a courageous Kerry comeback before winning out on a 5-22 to 4-24 scoreline.

"It was a really good performance from us," Cunning said when speaking to RTÉ Sport.

"We knew that we had to come out quick in the first half, and I thought we did.

"In the second half, there was a 15-20 minute spell where we died down, but this team were able to come back after the few goals and get a win."

“It’s just about honest work, and tracking men. Kerry made it really tough and showed what they are made of coming back when we were up by ten points at half time."

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