Antrim blow Carlow challenge away

McManus inspires Ulster men to hurling success

Antrim made a blistering start to blow Carlow 's challenge out of the water in this battle of the bottom two in bitterly cold Dr Cullen Park yesterday.

Inspired by team captain Neil McManus, the Glensmen were on fire from the off.

It was McManus’s destructive run through the heart of the Carlow defence in the fifth minute before shooting superbly to the net, which set Antrim on their way as they led 1-7 to no score after 13 minutes play.

With half backs Simon McRory and Neal McAuley getting in on the scorefest, Antrim led by an unassailable 2-12 to 0-4 at the break.

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Their second goal came from a fine 24th minute strike from corner forward Shane McNaughton.

Carlow tried hard in the second half but lacked a cutting edge – Marty Kavanagh scored 0-10, 0-9 from frees.