Antrim's slim hopes fade fast in the Limerick mist

Any player expecting the ball to hop on the sodden Gaelic Grounds pitch in Limerick yesterday was nothing less than a super optimist. Those opposed to an early start to the National Hurling League were supplied with further ammunition. But that was the least of Antrim's worries in their hour of humiliation.

Overnight rain that would have done justice to Frank McCourt's evocation of a wet Limerick in Angela's Ashes rendered the grassy surface lifeless. Limerick's superior skills enabled them to chalk up a handsome score but without their Dunloy players, Antrim's task was a thankless one.

The northerners were in trouble long before they had wing back Michael McCambridge and wing forward Chris Hamill sent to the line. McCambridge walked after a second booking in the 42nd minute and Hamill exited with Limerick right full back Stephen McDonagh following a nasty flare up eight minutes later.

The conditions were always likely to fray tempers but it was a generally cleanly contested match that had an air of inevitability about it from as early as the second minute when Barry Foley and Ollie Moran had 1-1 on the scoreboard without reply.

Limerick manager Eamonn Cregan did not wish to read too much into the encounter: "Hurling in those conditions is a lot different to playing in May. I felt sorry for Antrim for they tried hard without star club players. Conditions were hardly conducive to good hurling. We played our best hurling over the first 20 minutes."

The Limerick followers in the 1,500 attendance at least saw their under-21 graduates perform with composure. Brian Geary operated with maturity at centre back but of those called up from the successful All-Ireland under-21 side, Mark Keane was most impressive in chalking up 1-8, including four pointed frees. Damien Reale at corner back and wing forward Paul O'Grady made excellent senior debuts and promoted Mick O'Brien in midfield also earned plus marks.

O'Grady's two first half points within a minute were classic examples of how the Limerick attackers could get into scoring positions with ease.

But it was really too easy for Limerick, who oozed confidence from the start. Antrim never got going and containment soon became their priority.

Antrim's worst spell was between the 18th minute of the first half and the 24th minute of the second, during which time they failed to raise a flag, even though they got some opportunities.

At half-time Limerick led by 2-10 to 0-3. Perhaps the only regret for Cregan would be that his team shot 10 wides, one less than Antrim. A last-gasp shot by Jimmy Connolly moments before the final whistle was deflected to the Limerick net, contriving to give a marginally more respectable appearance to the scoreboard.

Antrim goalkeeper DD Quinn and Conor McCambridge, who was drafted into midfield when Declan McKillop was unable to start, turned in the day's bravest and most effective display for the losers. Quinn's second half save from Jim Butler was also most impressive.

LIMERICK: T Houlihan: S McDonagh, TJ Ryan D Reale; J Foley, B Geary, M Foley (0-1); M O'Brien (0-1), J Moran; P O'Grady (0-2), O Moran (2-1), M Keane (1-8, four frees); J Butler (1-2), B Begley, B Foley (0-2). Subs: P Reale for J Foley (55 mins), D Ryan for Butler (61 mins), D Anderson for M Foley (61 mins), S O'Connor (0-1) for O'Grady (64 mins), J Meskell for O'Brien (64 mins).

ANTRIM: D Quinn: C Herron, C McAllister, C McCambridge; M McCambridge, E Graham, K Kelly; M Kettle, K McGarry; E O'Hara, J Connolly (1-0 ), C Hamill; J McIntosh (0-1), C McCambridge, P Graham (0-2). Subs: M O'Neill for Kelly (41 mins), A Campbell (0-1) for McGarry (49 mins), D McKillop for McIntosh (60 mins), B McFall for Kettle (62 mins), B McSparran for Herron (64 mins).

Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath).