Antrim 1-15 UUJ 2-9:A polished first-half performance from Antrim ensured a winning start to 2013 – and a winning start for new manager Frank Dawson – as the Saffrons sealed both points in yesterday's McKenna Cup Section C clash against UUJ at Casement Park.
Michael McCann scored the opening Saffron point of 2013 after just 24 seconds as Antrim went on to dominate the early stages.
The home side were 0-4 to no score to the good after nine minutes with Kevin O’Boyle and Michael Pollock adding scores from play and Paddy Cunningham slotting over a free.
UUJ finally got on the scoresheet after 11 minutes through Emmet McGuckin, and Colm Duffin then cancelled out Cunningham’s reply.
For all of Antrim’s early dominance they found themselves on level terms after 18 minutes when Declan Lynch raised the game’s first green flag, but when OBoyle palmed to the UUJ net 10 minutes later, Antrim were back in control of the game.
A second Lynch goal midway through the second half cut the gap to four points and a goal separated the sides on 54 minutes when McGuckin slotted over a fine score from play.
Two points from impressive Antrim substitute Colm Fleming steadied the home side’s ship as the Saffrons started the year with a victory despite late scores from UUJ’s Gregory McGovern and Richard Donnelly.
