In the aftermath of this Ulster senior hurling championship clash at Casement Park and with Bloomsday tomorrow, the thoughts of the long persevering London hurler are appropriately reflected in the words of Joyce: "history is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake."

The talking points after the game concerned the legitimacy of the last point awarded to Antrim.

It is unusual for a goalkeeper and a striker to agree when a disputed score with such a huge bearing on the result comes into question.

But such was the case in this instance. London goalkeeper Brian O'Malley claims that he turned Alistair Elliot's late shot for an equaliser around the post for a 65. Elliot agrees with him; "It was a 65 not a point opined the sporting Antrim attacker."

"There is no question about it," insisted O'Malley, "we were robbed."

Eliot shot from the left wing and O'Malley would appear to have averted the danger of a score at the near post. Laois referee Pat Delaney, who refused an interview with the umpire in question afterwards, consulted both umpires. He also played almost 30 seconds short in the second half.

Antrim looked almost pedestrian compared with their exile opponents. The visitors' determined side - seven from Tipperary, two from Limerick, two each from Galway and Kilkenny and one from Clare and Dublin - clearly showed their intent from the start. They displayed a greater awareness than the fancied Antrim side for the most part and were always more adept at finding the loose man in space.

They also had an undisputed man of the match in Timmy Maloney from Cashel, who has played at all grades for his native county and was in the senior team two seasons ago. Maloney, a physically strong and classy player chalked up a personal tally of 10 points, all impressively struck, including three off 65s and a free.

Ironically Maloney had the winning of the match with a 70-yard free with almost the last puck but the ball tailed off to the left and wide. "I have no doubt that the referee gave us that free to make up for his mistake in agreeing with the umpires too readily for Antrim's 19th score."

London were far from being a one-man team. In Damien Browne of Limerick they had a super midfielder, a sturdy centre back in Seamus Tooher of Offaly, flanked by Brendan Ryan of Kilkenny and Billy Dolan of Galway.

O'Malley played his part by saving a shot searing towards the net from the stick of Eliot with about 10 minutes remaining and with London leading by 0-18 to 0-16.

Antrim played against the wind in the first half and were desperately lucky to be only three points in arrears at the break, 0-12 to 0-9.

The highlights of that opening period were brilliant saves by Dunloy goalkeeper Shane Eliot from Damien Browne and Eoin Quaine. Browne's wind-assisted point from his own 65-yard line was a classic just on half-time.

London, who stretched their lead to four points shortly after the interval, deserved to win.