Antrim and Down reach Tailteann Cup semi-finals
Antrim fought back from seven points down to stun their Ulster rivals
- Published
Antrim produced a superb comeback to defeat Fermanagh and join Down in the Tailteann Cup semi-finals.
The Saffrons ran out 1-11 to 0-11 winners in Eniskillen as Andy McEntee's men overturned a seven-point deficit.
Down moved a step closer to the Tailteann Cup decider with a comfortable 1-18 to 0-12 victory over Wicklow in the quarter-finals.
John McGovern scored a first-half goal for Conor Laverty's side, who never looked like relinquishing their 1-6 to 0-5 half-time lead.
Lee Deignan and Paddy O'Connor scored as Sligo booked their place in the last four with a convincing 2-20 to 0-9 win over Limerick.
Due to Antrim having played Down in the Ulster Championship and Sligo in the group stages, the Saffrons will face the winners of Laois and Kildare, who play in the final last-eight tie on Sunday.
Down will face Sligo in the other semi-final tie at Croke Park.
Antrim produced a superb second-half fightback to come from seven points behind as they stunned Fermanagh with a 1-11 to 0-11 win at Brewster Park.
Seven down early in the second period, McEntee's men chipped at the gap and with 68 minutes on the clock, Cathal Hynds netted to complete the turnaround.
It was a cagey start to the game that would give us a glimpse into the pattern of what would unfold in the first half with Fermanagh inviting Antrim up to an extent, but were excellent to turn the ball over and break.
Sean Cassidy did the early honours from placed balls and Ultan Kelm finished off two fine breakaways, either side of Antrim's first score from a Mick Byrne 45.
The Saffron's could figure out the puzzle in front although Ryan McQuillan did kick from play after 26 minutes, but Fermanagh would take a 0-8 to 0-2 lead into the half with some fine shooting from Cassidy, Declan McCusker and Fionan O'Brien.
Ronan McCaffrey extended the lead early in the second period, but Antrim rang the changes and they worked with Peter Healy, Conor Hand, Dominic McEnhill and Eoin Hynds all pointing, while Byrne was assured from 45s.
The gap was just one when Byrne put Hynds in for that goal and his brother, Eoin landed a fine score.
A late Fermanagh raid came to nothing as they were left stunned with Antrim advancing to the semi-finals.
"We'll have to stop putting ourselves in that position," said McEntee.
"It showed some guts, some character and we're delighted."
Comfortable win for Down
John McGovern scored Down's goal in the first half at Pairc Esler
Down eased their way to 1-18 to 0-12 win over Wicklow to book their place in the Tailteann Cup semi-finals.
Pat Havern top-scored with 0-6 while Shealan Johnston weighted in with four points from play in another impressive display.
Kevin Quinn chipped in with four frees for Oisin McConville’s side, but the Garden County failed to match Down’s cutting edge in attack.
Down got off to the best possible start when after just 4 minutes McGovern fisted into the Wicklow net.
James Guinness’s effort dropped short and McGovern, who also plays Irish Premiership football for Dungannon Swifts, reacted quickest to beat Mark Jackson to the ball.
Wicklow responded through Quinn and Jackson, but a Daniel Guinness strike on the cusp of the half-time whistle saw Down go in at the break with a 1-6 to 0-5 lead.
Down found their scores easier to come by in the second half, and with Havern and Johnston in prolific form, they eased their way to the semi-finals.