ALLIANZ NHL DIVISION 1B

Laois 1-20
Antrim 1-19

By Michael McMullan

A GOAL from Neil McManus wasn’t enough to stop a wasteful Antrim falling to a fourth successive league defeat of the season on Sunday afternoon in Portlaoise.
The Saffrons face Tipperary in their final game, with a relegation play-off to follow based on Laois set to escape bottom spot on head to head.
The Saffrons led 0-3 to 0-1 early on, but a goal from Paddy Purcell had Laois in command for much of the game.
The home side were reduced to 14 men after a 24^th minute Jack Kelly red card, but finished the first half in style to lead 1-11 to 0-8.
Antrim brought captain Conor McCann and James McNaughton into the side, with Neil McManus playing deeper.

CELBRATION…Neil McManus celebrates scoring Antrim’s goal

David Kearney, Ciaran Clarke and a free form McManus narrowed the gap, but Laois were always able to tag on a scrore to lead Antrim chasing the game.
James McNaughton’s run led to a McManus goal in the 62^nd minute levelled matters.
Points from Conal Cunning and Paddy Burke twice had Antrim ahead as the game ticked towards injury time.
McManus, who finished with 1-7, missed two chances to push Antrim clear before Scully levelled from a free and Charles Dwyer landed the winner.

Laois: E Rowland (0-1f); D Conway, S Downey, J Keyes (0-2); P Delaney, F O’Connell, R Mullaney; F Fennell, J Kelly; P Purcell (1-1), M Dowling, R King; W Dunphy (0-2), C Dwyer (0-4), S Maher (0-9, 4f,  2 ‘65’)
Subs: PJ Scully (0-2, 1 sideline, 1f) for M Dowling (50), A Corby for R King (56), S Bergin for S Maher (70)

Antrim: R Elliott, D Kearney (0-1), G Walsh (0-1), S Rooney; P Burke (0-2), E Campbell (0-1), R McGarry; K  Molloy, D McKernan; M Bradley (0-2), D Nugent, C Cunning (0-2); S Elliott (0-1), N McManus (1-7, 7f), C Clarke (0-2)
Subs: C McCann for D Nugent (HT), J McNaughton for S Elliott (HT), C Johnston for D Kearney (59), E O’Neill for K Molloy (62), R McCambridge for M Bradley (69)

Referee: S Hynes (Galway)

Elsewhere Down were 1-18 to 1-16 winners over Westmeath, thanks to late points from Eoghan Sands and Oisin MacManus in their Division 2A clash in Mullingar.

With Cormac O’Doherty in accurate form, Derry were 0-23 to 0-15 winners over Donegal in Letterkenny to main their 100 per cent Division 2B record.

In Division 3A, Armagh were leading Roscommon in the closing stages until a Mickey Joe Egan goal helped the Rossies to a 2-17 to 1-19 win.

Tyrone were 3-14 to 1-11 winners over Monaghan at Inniskeen. Damian Casey, Tiernan Murphy and Ciaran Lagan found the net for Michael McShane’s side.

Watch Full-Time Highlights of Laois v Antrim in the Allianz Hurling League here!
Full-Time Score:
Laois 1-20
Antrim 1-19
#GAANOW pic.twitter.com/Xmjqac64jN

— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 6, 2022