Antrim shock for Kilkenny

Antrim 2-15 Kilkenny 1-17:Ryan McGarry was Antrim's hero as they scored a surprise win over All-Ireland champions Kilkenny in the Walsh Cup at Freshford yesterday. McGarry made two crucial saves from Eoin McCormack and Richard Power in the closing six minutes.

Kilkenny snatched a late point from a Power free which cut Antrim's advantage to two points. In injury-time McGarry turned a shot away from Power for a 65 which was pointed by PJ Delaney.

Antrim took the lead in the eighth minute and led all the way from there. McGarry launched a free to the edge of the Kilkenny square before Liam Watson slammed a shot to the net for 1-1 to 0-2 lead. With Watson in top form and great support from Michael McCambridge, Kevin Elliott, Karl McKeegan and Neil McManus, the winners hounded Killkenny into mistakes. They grabbed a second goal in the 29th minute through Karl McKeegan's looping shot from 25 metres. An exchange of points followed before Watson pointed a 65 for a 2-9 to 0-8 lead at the break.

Points from Power (two) and wing back James Ryall brought Kilkenny back into the game but Karl Steward responded with a point. When Kilkenny's McCormack rattled the net on 43 minutes to narrow the gap to two points, 2-10 to 1-11, it was game on.

Antrim's response was brilliant. Three points in succession from Watson put them back in control. It was hard going afterwards, but Antrim, with McGarry in blinding form, did enough to edge out the competition holders.

ANTRIM: R McGarry (0-1, free); A Griffin, N McGarry, S Delargy; C Herron, M McCambridge, K Elliott (0-1); K McKeegan (1-1), D Hamill; N McManus (0-1), L Watson (1-8, six frees, one 65); P McGill (0-1), S McCrory (0-1), C Donnelly, S McNaughton. Subs: K Stewart (0-1) for C Donnelly; M Kettle for N McGarry both half-time; C. Duffin for S McNaughton.

KILKENNY: PJ Ryan; S Cummins, B Hogan, J Tyrrell; J Dalton, PJ Delaney (0-1, free), J Ryall (0-1); R Mullally (0-1), W O'Dwyer; P Cleere, R Power (0-9, eight frees), A Fogarty (0-2), E McCormack (1-0), E Brennan (0-2), R Hogan (0-1). Subs: E McGrath for P Cleere 47th min; D Fogarty for O'Dwyer 63rd min.

Referee: T Carroll (Offaly).