Antrim lose focus in second half

Ulster SHC First Round/ Antrim 4-16 London 3-08: They were soundly beaten in yesterday's Ulster semi-final at Casement Park but London asked a lot of questions from Antrim that need to be addressed.

The scoreline looks comprehensive but the winners were far from happy with their second-half display during which they scored only four points.

Despite being 20 points adrift at the break, the visitors had a spirited second half with the wind in their sails.

A goal from a free puck in the first minute by 2006 Ulster hurler of the year Johnny McIntosh set the scene for a one-sided match. London's goal and point arrived in the closing three minutes before the break. Incidentally, McIntosh went off and was replaced by a "blood sub" after only six minutes and didn't return to the action.

With the brisk wind in their backs, Antrim continued to punish the exiles with goals and points flowing. Kieran Kelly netted goal two after just four minutes and Michael Herron added the third on 22 minutes. Less than 60 seconds later Kelly flicked in his second and Antrim's fourth goal to leave the score 4-8 to 0-0.

London's first flag was raised after 33 minutes when their best player, Martin Finn, pointed a free from out on the right wing. Two minutes later, he set up wing half-back Adrian Pierse for a goal.

London got down to business on the resumption. A mistake in the Antrim defence let Barry Dolan in for a goal and when Anthony Kane hit another from 80 metres out on the right side-line visions of a major comeback was on the cards.

It was then 4-12 to 3-4 but Antrim hit four unanswered points. However, that was all they were allowed during the second half and London finished with four scores. Still, there was never a hope they would pull off a surprise win.

In the closing minutes, Antrim midfielder Karl McKeegan was lucky to get away with a yellow card after an off-the-ball incident during which a London player hit the ground.

"The second half was disappointing for us, particularly the goals we conceded and it's something we will have to look at in training on Tuesday night," reflected Antrim joint manager Dominic McKinlay.

"It is very hard to keep the momentum up when 20 points ahead at half-time but it is very disappointing for us as management and it certainly is something that we will have to look at."

ANTRIM: R McGarry; M Kettle, M McCambridge, S Delargy; N McAuley, J Campbell, C Herron; B Herron (0-3), K McKeegan (0-2, one free, one 65); K Stewart (0-2), B Delargy (0-3), M Herron (1-1); J McIntosh (1-0 free), K Kelly (2-1), P Shields (0-1). Subs: Barry McFall for McIntosh (6 mins) blood sub; Brian McFall (0-2, one free) for Barry McFall (22 mins), C Duffin for B Delargy (47 mins), J McKeague for McCambridge (49 mins), S McCrory (0-1, free) for Stewart (49 mins), E McCloskey for Kelly (57 mins).

LONDON: JJ Burke; E Leamy, S McLoughlin, B Forde; A Pierce (1-0), F McMahon, K Kennedy; B Dolan (1-0), A Kane (1-1); K McMullan, B Tennyson, D Skehan; P Fagan, M Finn (0-6, three frees, one sideline cut), S Malone. Subs: I Rocks (0-1) for Tennyson (half-time), B Kindlon for Malone (46 mins), C Bradley for JJ Rocks (57 mins).

Referee: T Mahon(Fermanagh) .