Confidence high in Antrim after Dublin draw

By Shaun Casey

ANTRIM will take huge confidence from their Leinster opener as the travelling Dubs needed a last-gasp score from Cian O’Sullivan to pick up a share of the spoils. Both sides will have mixed emotions about this game.

On one hand, both will feel they could have captured the two points on offer and made the perfect start to the championship, but on the other, they could have easily come up short and left with nothing.

But in the end a point was probably a fair reflection on the game and Antrim will swiftly turn their attention to Wexford Park this Saturday as another tough test lies ahead.

Wexford suffered a six-point defeat to Galway in round one, despite hitting two first-half goals through Liam Óg McGovern and Conor McDonald, so will be well up for the game.

Derry picked up their first win of the Christy Ring Cup following an opening day draw with Tyrone as they saw off Sligo last weekend. Johnny McGarvey’s side will hope to continue their goal-scoring form when they face Meath in round three.

Cormac O’Doherty hit two goals, with James Friel and John Mullan claiming one apiece as Derry overpowered Sligo to win 4-27 to 2-13. Meath will look to tighten up defensively, having conceded four goals in their 4-17 to 1-24 loss to London.

Tyrone likewise earned a second-round victory last weekend, travelling to Mayo and returning home with two points in the bag and a 2-22 to 1-17 win. They’ll face more Connacht opposition in round three, with Sligo making the long trek to Omagh.

Armagh will be out to bounce back from their first defeat of the Nickey Rackard Cup campaign when they host Wicklow on Saturday. The Orchard suffered a ten-point loss to Donegal last week, although two injury time goals from Conor Garland and Gerry Gilmore put some gloss on the result for the visitors.

Donegal will expect another tough test when they travel to Dr Hyde Park to take on Division 3A league champions Roscommon, who lost to Armagh in the opening round. Fermanagh will be tuned in for their clash with Louth, as both sides have lost their first two games.

Sunday’s showdown in Darver could turn out to be a relegation decider, so both teams will be vying for the two points. Cavan host Lancashire on Saturday in the Lory Meagher Cup and will be full of confidence following their three-point win over Monaghan. The Farney men have a chance to get back on track against Warwickshire.