Sport

Elliott key to Antrim success

Kerry's second outing in National Hurling League Division 1A ended in disappointment at Austin Stack Park, Tralee yesterday when…

Mon Mar 15 1999 - 00:00

Kerry's second outing in National Hurling League Division 1A ended in disappointment at Austin Stack Park, Tralee yesterday when Antrim proved a much more accomplished outfit. The visitors opened up a decisive early lead and maintain this for the remainder of the game, despite a late Kerry flourish.

Antrim were into their stride quickly and opened up a three-point gap after only six minutes following a Liam Richmond point and two frees from ace marksman, Alistair Elliott. It was Elliott who scored Antrim's first goal when he stole inside the Kerry defence in the 14th minute, following a long clearance by Jim Connolly and fired past a helpless John Healy.

Kerry opened their account through points from John Mike Dooley and Tom O'Connell and in the 22nd minute Brendan O'Sullivan blocked down a Gary O'Kane clearance and fired into the Antrim net to narrow the gap to 1-4 to 1-2.

Antrim seemed to step up a gear for the rest of the half and a brace of points from Elliott followed by a long range Connolly effort and a Malachy Molloy goal saw them lead comfortably 2-8 to 1-3 at the break.

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Mike Slattery kept Kerry in touch with some excellent frees; but he was being matched at the other end by Elliott. Kerry could never really close the gap as Antrim maintained a six-point lead, despite the best efforts of the Cronin brothers, Willie Joe Leen and Tony Maunsell.

They had a late flourish with points from Padraig Cronin and Christy Walsh; but Antrim were quicker to the ball and their first touch was better, and it was fitting that Elliott should have the final say when he sent over his 11th point in injury time.

ANTRIM: S Elliott; S Mullin, E McCloskey, O Colgen; S McMullan, G O'Kane, P McMullan; J Connolly (0-2), J Close; M Molloy (1-0), C McGuckian, J Carson; L Richmond (0-1), S P McKillop, A Elliott (111, 0-9 frees). Sub: John Flynn for McKillop (50th min).

KERRY: J Healy; T Cronin, S McIntyre, M McCarthy; Pat Cronin, A O'Sullivan, W J Leen; B O'Sullivan (1-0), C Flaherty; R Gentleman, T Maunsell, M Slattery (0-5, frees): C Walsh (0-1) , T O'Connell (0-1), J M Dooley (0-1). Subs: C Harty (1-0) for R Gentleman (24 mins); Padraig Cronin (0-1) for Dooley (40 mins); J Whelan for Healy (46 mins).

Referee: J Sexton (Co Limerick).