Antrim held off a spirited fightback from Kerry at Croke Park this evening to record a 5-22 to 4-24 victory and land their second Joe McDonagh Cup title.

Ciaran Clarke and James McNaughton struck early goals for the winners and, while Padraig Boyle got one back for Kerry, Sean Elliott’s rebounded goal in injury-time saw the Saffrons go in at the break with a commanding 3-14 to 1-10 lead.

Conal Cunning lashed in Antrim’s fourth goal five minutes into the restart to seemingly leave them with one hand on the cup, but the Kingdom got life when Jordan Conway bagged two goals in the space of four minutes.

Boyle’s free made it a two-point game prior to Clarke getting in behind for another major for the Glensmen on the hour mark.

Kerry battled to the finish and a couple of Niall McKenna frees would steady the ship for Antrim in injury before conceding a brilliant Boyle goal with the last score of the game.

Now promoted back to the Leinster SHC next year, Antrim will prepare for an All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final against Cork next weekend while Kerry face Wexford.

Watch the Full-Time Highlights of Antrim v Kerry in the Joe McDonagh Cup Final here on #GAANOW pic.twitter.com/LhR5vZKfxS

— The GAA (@officialgaa) June 4, 2022

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