‘Magic’ Johnston nets Antrim win in blockbuster finish in Corrigan

Joe McDonagh Cup Round One

Antrim 3-22
Offaly 2-24

By Michael McMullan

AN injury time Conor Johnston goal saved Antrim’s bacon in Saturday’s blockbuster at Corrigan Park.

The win sets Antrim up for a visit to Ballycran in Round Two after Down won their opener in Tralee.

Johnston’s first goal, in the 57th minute, had Antrim 2-17 to 0-16 ahead against 14-man Offaly.

They looked home and hosed, but Offaly were far from finished.

David Nally finished Offaly’s first goal to bring them back into the game and substitute Paddy Clancy, with his first touch, levelled matters, 2-22 each, after 70 minutes.

Eoghan Cahill edged the visitors ahead and when Conall Cunning missed a free to level the game, it looked bleak for Darren Gleeson’s side.

But up stepped Eoghan Campbell. After battling all day long, he drew the Offaly defence to him before passing to Conor Johnston who showed ice-cool composure to score the winning goal.

Offaly, trailing by two, were awarded a 30 metre free. After the stoppage and faced with a packed Antrim penalty area, Cahill blazed his 78th minute shot over the bar with the last action of the game to the delight of the home fans.

With the wind at their back Antrim raced into an early lead with two Conal Cunning frees and a fine Paddy Burke point made by the busy Ciaran Clarke.

By the 13th minute the visitors were level with the accuracy of Eoghan Cahill’s frees and two fine efforts from Brian Duignan and Nally.

The home side had Ryan Elliott to thank for making a vital save from Jason Sampson’s angled shot.

Antrim went ahead by a point, but missed three chances to extend their lead and Offaly punished them by going 0-10 to 0-7 ahead with half-time approaching.

Then, after an Elliott puck out, Clarke worked his magic and Conor McCann made no mistake to hammer across the ‘keeper for well-taken goal.

CAPTAIN’S ROLE…Conor McCann bagged Antrim’s first-half goal

James McNaughton came on at half-time for the hamstrung Keelan Molloy and joined Seaan Elliott at midfield.

Johnston, Seaan Elliott and Cunning opened a 1-12 to 0-12 Antrim lead by the 42nd minute.

A second booking for Jack Screeney for high tackle on Joe Maskey reduced Offaly to 15 men after 50 minutes with the score 1-14 to 0-14 in Antrim’s favour.

Offaly’s razor-sharp puck-outs helped them to always stay in the game, but when Conor McCann – after a long ball from Paddy Burke – played in Conor Johnston for Antrim’s second goal, the home side were well in control, leading by seven with 57 minutes gone.

A 1-2 tally from the lively David Nally dragged Offaly back into the game and with Antrim loose in possession, it gave the Faithful County a chance to creep back into the game.

It was a victory for persistence. The late Offaly goal and Cahill’s 13th point of the day looked like it would be enough for the visitors until Johnston’s late finish.

Antrim: R Elliott; R McGarry (0-1), G Walsh, S Rooney; P Burke (0-2), E Campbell, S Walsh; J Maskey, K Molloy (0-1); S Elliott (0-1), C Clarke (0-3), C McCann (1-1); C Cunning (0-10, 7f, 1 ‘65’), D Nugent, C Johnston (2-2)
Subs: J McNaughton (0-1) for K Molloy (INJ HT), P Duffin for S Rooney (57), M Donnelly for S Walsh (62), D McKernan for S Elliott (64), C Bohill for D Nugent (69)
Yellow cards: C McCann (29), D Nugent (63), P Duffin (78)

Offaly: S Corcoran; J Keenaghan, D King, P Cantwell; E Parlon, B Conneely, E Kelly (0-1); J Screeney, L Fox (0-1); A Cleary (0-2); S Cleary, E Cahill (0-14, 11f, 1 sideline, 1 ‘65’), B Duignan (0-1); J Sampson (0-1), D Nally (1-3)
Subs: L O’Connor (0-1) for S Cleary (48), J Murphy for L Fox (52), K Sampson for B Duignan (54), C Burke for E Parlon (64), P Clancy (1-0) for A Cleary (68)

Yellow cards: J Keenaghan (29), J Screeney (39, 50)
Red card: J Screeney (50)

Referee: C Mooney (Dublin)