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Saturday, 06 March 2010

Antrim unbeaten at Casement Park

Antrim’s Brendan Herron in action with Fermanagh’s Ciaran Flaherty

Paddy Cunningham stole the show as Antrim easily overcame 14-man Fermanagh at Casement Park on Saturday night.

Antrim 0-16 Fermanagh 0-8

That makes it three wins out of three in Division Three of the Allianz National League.

After the game a Fermanagh spokesperson revealed that the county may urge the GAA Disciplinary authorities to examine video evidence after full-forward Ryan Carson was sent to the line following a challenge on Antrim player Justin Crozier towards the end of the first half.

Carson had earlier been shown a yellow card but the referee handed him a straight red for his second offence which could result in a longer suspension if upheld.

Earlier in the National League campaign Tyrone manager Mickey Harte had been critical of the use of television evidence by the GAA in disciplinary matters resulting in three of his players being banned after a defeat by Derry in Division One.

Carson had scored all but one of Fermanagh's points in the first half when he was sent off.

But by that stage Antrim had already built up a four points lead, 0-8 to 0-4.

Last season's captain Cunningham had an inspired game, particularly in the first half, when he sent over five of his total of seven points.

"It's a team game and we always say that in the dressing room before our matches. It's more important that we win than who scores the points.," said the Lamh Dearg club man afterwards.

"We are in a good position now but any team in this division is capable of beating the others so it's too early to make any predictions."

The sides were level on three occasions in the first half before corner forward Cunningham hit four unanswered points in the space of six minutes to put the Saffrons into a strong position as they led by double scores at the break, 0-8 to 0-4.

Michael Magill was another impressive Antrim player and he sent the ball over the bar at the start of the second half for an excellent score to stretch the home team's lead.

Tommy McElroy, who was Fermanagh's best player, replied with two fine points to cut the gap to 0-9 to 0-6 but Antrim, with the benefit of the extra man, resumed control for the remainder of the game.

Points from Kevin O'Boyle, Cunningham, James Loughrey and Tomas McCann then followed to put the game beyond Fermanagh's reach.

A Matthew Keenan free and a point from Ciaran McElroy reduced the deficit to five points but Antrim finished the stronger side as scores from sub Conor Murray, Tomas McCann and Cunningham sealed a comfortable victory for Liam Bradley's team.