Antrim have reached their goal in the National Hurling League as victory over Dublin at Loughgiel guarantees them Division 1A status. They also have chance of reaching the league quarter-finals.
From the opening minutes there was never a doubt about the outcome of this battle and, indeed, the final score-line of 2-15 to 1-13 fails to tell the story of Antrim's superiority. Despite the fact that they laboured in midfield, the winners were always in control.
Ally Elliott, who has been in remarkable scoring form this month opened with two points and a goal inside four minutes.
But Had it not been for the accuracy of Tom as McGrane who scored 10 points the visitors would have been swamped.
In the 58th minute Dublin got their goal when McGrane cut through and left wing-back Liam Ryan with the easiest of jobs to push the ball over the Antrim goal line. "Our aim at the start of the campaign was to make certain we stayed in Division One and we have now achieved that. Anything else will be a bonus," said Antrim manager Seamus Elliott.
Antrim: S Elliott; C McCambridge, E McCloskey, S Mullan; S McMullan, Gary O'Kane, P McMullan 0-3; J Connolly, C McGuckian; J Close, Greg O'Kane 0-2, S Kelly 0-2; A Elliott 1-8, J Carson 1-0, M Dallas. Subs: J Flynn for Connolly (46 mins).
Dublin: B McLoughlin 0-1; J Finnegan, S Power, D Spain; L Walsh, B O'Sullivan, L Ryan 1- 0; M Fitzsmmons, C McCann 0-1; D Sweeney, K O'Donoghue, T McGrane 0-10; N Butler, S Perkins, K Flynn 0-1. Subs: G Ennis for Butler (halftime), S Dalton for Perkins (half-time), L O'Donoghue for K O'Donoghue (45 mins).
Referee: JA Gribben (Down).
