Antrim blown away by storming Galway

Backed by a near gale force wind, Galway put this NHL Div 1 A match at Casement Park on Saturday almost out of Antrim's reach in the opening quarter.

The breeze was straight down the pitch and as Antrim, who won the toss, elected to play against it Galway cashed in. They fired over seven unanswered points in the first 12 minutes before the play crossed midfield.

Two pointed frees by Antrim skipper Jarlath Elliot halted the avalanche but only momentarily. Galway slipped into gear once more, rattling off another goal and seven points to lead by a massive 1-14 to 0-2 after 25 minutes. The goal arrived in the 16th minute when centre forward Cathal Moore fired a low shot in from the left wing and in the resulting goalmouth scramble Joe Rabbitte poked the ball home.

In the last five minutes of the first half, Antrim did show signs of revival, snatching a goal and two points to trail 1-15 to 1-4 at the break. The 28th minute goal was hit home by Alastair Elliot with the points coming from the same player and his brother Jarlath.

Home fans hoped that the switch of ends would bring Antrim back into the game and for a brief spell after the re-start it looked as if this might be a possibility. They sent over three points without reply while their 'keeper Shane Elliot pulled off a super save from an Alan Kerins rocket.

However, the Galway forwards were always dangerous and were able to offset anything Antrim could produce.

Galway led 1-17 to 1-9 entering the last quarter and then really wrapped up the valuable league points with another goal from Ollie Fahy, set up by Cathal Moore.

The teams swapped three points apiece before the end to leave the visitors most comfortable winners on a 2-19 to 1-12 scoreline.

Strong defensive work, with full back and captain Brian Feeney in control, was the launching pad for this Galway win. Midfield held the upper hand and all six forwards got in the scoring act although Joe Rabbitt was well marshalled by Antrim fullback Owen Colgan.

Antrim's corner defenders Seamus McMullan and Ciaran McCambridge tried hard to stem the constant wave of Galway attacks but the forward line was the exception of the Elliot brothers could make little headway against the Galway rearguard.

Antrim: S Elliot; S McMullan, O Colgan, C McCambridge; R Donnelly, G O'Kane, K Kelly (0- 1); P McKillen (0-1), M Molloy; J Cashin (0-1), C McGuckian (0-1), S P McKillop; A Elliot (1-1), J O'Neill, J Elliot (0-5). Subs: G O'Kane (0-2) for O'Neill (45 mins), C Hamill for McKillop (50 mins), L Richmond for Cashin (60 mins).

Galway: R Burke; F Gantley, B Feeney, L Hodgins; M Donoghue (0-1), N Shaughnessy, P Hardiman; C Maher, L Burke (0-1); A Kerins (0- 2), C Moore (0-2), F Forde (0-3); D Coen (0-6) J Rabbitte (1-0), O Fahy (1-4). Subs: J Campbell for Moore (48 mins), M Coleman for Shaughnessy (56 mins).

Referee: P Delaney (Laois).