By Cóilín Duffy Antrim 2-18 Laois 0-16 Páirc Tailteann, Navan looked resplendent; both Antrim and Laois served up a keenly-contested contest but patrons voted with their feet and stayed away for the most-part from this All-Ireland SHC playoff, as a crowd in the region of 150 people watch Antrim secure top-flight status for 2009. Laois may have found themselves reduced to 14-man for the final quarter of this Liam McCarthy Cup Playoff but Niall Rigney's charges battled until the bitter end, and gave the Saffrons a tough test before Antrim eventually secured the win, thanks to an eight-point victory. Two scores were crucial in this game for Antrim to seal victory, and as the saying goes 'goals win games' and that was certainly the case at a sun-kissed Navan. Goals in either half from Shane McNaughton and Paddy Richmond were the catalyst for an Antrim win, on a full-forward line that bagged all but six points of their sides total 2-18 tally. McNaughton's goal after just 19 seconds sent a wind-assisted Antrim off to a perfect start. However Laois weren't to give Antrim an easy game, and the O'Moore's cut the gap to the minimum thanks to points from Noel Costello and John Brophy, but an eager Antrim attack restored their goal lead, after McNaughton and full-forward Paddy Richmond slotted between the posts. The sides were level on three occasions over the remainder of a keenly contested opening half, but McNaughton's goal ensured a 1-10 to 0-10 Antrim interval lead. Laois were keen to begin the second half on a positive note, but paid dearly for two early missed chances from Noel Costello, who subsequently was replaced by John Rowney, as their opponents hit three points in succession, including a Paul Shiels brace of frees to open up a 1-13 to 0-10 lead in the 44th minute. Rigney's side failed to throw in the towel, as an excellent string of points all from open play, ensured that a goal separated the sides as the game entered the final quarter with Hyland, Colin Delaney and John Brophy on target. However Antrim's full-forward line of McNaughton, Richmond and Paul Shiels continued to impress, and a McNaughton point firmly sealed the win in injury-time. Laois must now face the Christy Ring Cup champions in a playoff game in Mid-August if they are to stay in the Liam McCarthy Cup for 2009, or be condemned to the second-tier competition. Antrim - R McGarry; A Graffin, C Donnelly, M Kettle; C Herron, K McKeegan, J Campbell (0-1); E McCloskey (0-1), PJ O'Connell; M Herron (0-1), K Stewart (0-2), P Magill; S McNaughton (1-3), P Richmond (1-1), P Shiels (0-8, 8f). Subs: C Duffin (0-1 for O'Connell (41); C McKinley for Herron (66); J McKeague for Magill (70) Laois - P Mullaney; D Maher, B Campion, M McEvoy; J A Delaney, J Phelan, C Coonan; E Holohan (0-2), J Walsh; C Delaney (0-2), W Hyland (0-3), N Costello (0-5, 4f); N Holmes, T Fitzgerald (0-1), J Brophy (0-3, 1f). Subs: E Browne for Walsh (BS 27-29); J Rowney for Costello (39); C Dunne for Coonan (56); S Hanlon for Holohan (58) Ref - Jason O'Mahony (Limerick) Tweet

Most Read Stories