Antrim 1-15 Wicklow 0-14: Antrim's Michael McCann made a huge difference when introduced for the second half against Wicklow, laying the foundations for victory with vital scores at Aughrim yesterday.
Though wearing the number 14 jersey, McCann was less than a minute on the field when he scored Antrim's goal to give the Northerners a lead (1-9 to 1-8) they never relinquished. He also slotted two points.
In a game in which the Antrim players demonstrated a strong work ethic, there was also a big performance from corner-forward Kevin Madden, who scored 0-8.
For the last 15 minutes Antrim were reduced to 14 men - they could not replace Paul Doherty after he got a yellow card as they had used all their substitutes - but from there to the end they got plenty of bodies behind the ball, frustrating Wicklow's attempts.
ANTRIM: P Murray; T Scullion, C Brady, A McClean; K Murray, G Adams, S Kelly; J Quinn, M McCarry; K Close, S Devlin (0-1), T O'Neill (0-2); K Brady (0-1), B Heron (0-1), K Madden (0-8). Subs: T Convery for K Close, M McCann (1-2) for K Brady, D Gault for C Brady, Peter McCann for S Devlin.
WICKLOW: R Hollingsworth; C Hyland, B Daly, B Ó hAnnaidh; D Ó hAnnaidh, G Duffy, T Burke; J Stafford, D Dillon; D Smullen (1-2), L Glynn (0-1), W Callaghan; D O'Sullivan (0-1), P Earls (0-2), J Daniels (0-6). Subs: C Davis for C Hyland, G Doran for W Callaghan, K Manning for J Stafford.
YELLOW CARD: Antrim - P Doherty
Referee: M Deegan (Laois).
