Antrim 0-11
Galway 0-10

Super-sub Deaghlan O'Hagan's injury-time point handed Antrim a shock victory over Galway at Casement Park.

Veteran Padraic Joyce, who had been sprung from the Galway bench late on, looked to have given the visitors the win from a free as the game ticked into stoppage-time, but Liam Bradley's men refused to yield and levelled through Tomas McCann before O'Hagan popped up to kick a sensational winner.

The result means Galway - of who so much was expected at the start of the season - must wait at least another 12 months to end their abysmal record in the All-Ireland qualifiers. It's incredible to think that a county with such a rich tradition and huge playing resources haven't won a game in the backdoor series since beating Louth at Parnell Park eight years ago.

But today belonged to Antrim who showed a marked improvement on their hard-earned first round victory over London to earn their place in Monday morning's third round draw.

Tomas McCann opened the scoring for the home side before Mark Hehir replied with a brace of frees for the favourites. McCann levelled proceedings and it continued to be tit for tat before scores from Michael Meehan (free) and Paul Conroy gave the Tribesmen a 0-5 to 0-4 lead at the break.

Attacking wing back James Loughrey had Antrim level shortly after the restart and then Michael McCann took centre stage with a couple of points to put daylight between the sides for the first time - 0-7 to 0-5. Galway had already replaced Joe Bergin and Sean Armstrong at this stage, but Meehan's second free left the minimum in it again before Gary O'Donnell landed what was only their second from play to tie up the scoring again with just under 15 minutes left to play.

Tomas McCann restored the Saffrons' lead from a 40-metre free, but back came Galway with a Conor Doherty equaliser after good work by Meehan. At this juncture, Padraic Joyce entered the fray and he marked his arrival by fisting the lead point within 60 seconds.

McCann lofted over a superb point in the 63rd minute to leave it 0-9 apiece. Antrim then kicked two bad wides, including one from their captain Aodhan Gallagher who was a late withdrawal from their starting line-up, and they looked set to pay a high price when Joyce - with his trusty left boot - edged Galway back in front from a 30-metre free.

But in a dramatic finish, Antrim regained parity through Tomas McCann before O'Hagan made himself a hero with the winning point two minutes into stoppage-time.

Antrim: C Kerr; A Healey, R Johnston, K O'Boyle; T Scullion, J Crozier, J Loughrey (0-1); M McCann (0-3), O Gallagher; C Murray, M Sweeney, C Kelly (0-1); T McCann (0-4, 0-2f), K Niblock, M Johnston. Subs: A Gallagher (0-1) for Kelly (20 mins), M Magill for O Gallagher (47), M Armstrong for Murray (67), D O'Hagan (0-1) for Healey (69).

Galway: A Faherty; K Kelly, F Hanley, J Duane; G Bradshaw, G O'Donnell (0-1), T Fahy; J Bergin, F O Curraoin; G Sice, S Armstrong, C Doherty (0-1); M Meehan (0-2, 0-2f), P Conroy (0-1), M Hehir (0-3, 0-3f). Subs: D Cummins for Armstrong (34 mins), T Flynn for Bergin (45), K McGrath for Fahy (46), P Joyce (0-2, 0-1f) for Hehir (60), G Sweeney for Doherty (67).

Referee: Derek Fahy (Longford). Tweet

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