Thrilling Encounter as Wexford draw in Belfast

Antrim 1-21 Wexford 2-18

Whoever said the league this year was a series of glorified challenge games forgot to tell Antrim and Wexford. It was probably the most entertaining game of 2021 so far. It had everything, 2 red cards, goals, great saves, last minute points, a manager sent to the stands, it even had a crowd, and Gerry Adams was in it.

Keelan Molloy was the hero, pointing from almost on the sideline in the 10th minute of added time to earn Antrim a well deserved draw in front of a very excited audience in Corrigan Park, Belfast. Wexford were six points up at one stage in the first half, having goaled twice in the opening quarter. But the saffrons fought back and showed their metal, and even led on a few occasions.

Conor Macdonald hit the net for Wexford in the 3rd minute after good work from Lee Chin and Liam Óg McGovern. They goaled again in the 9th when a long ball broke to Paul Morris who was quickest to react and buried the ball in the net.

The teams pretty much then went point for point until half time, with the best player on the pitch James McNaughton being equally impressive from frees as from play. The big highlight of the second quarter was Wexford Manager Davy Fitzgerald being sent to the stands for his continuous remonstrating with officials just before half time. At half time the score was Antrim 0-10 Wexford 2-09. 

Wexford started the second half on the front foot, Macdonald pointed and Diarmuid O’Keefe almost put the game to bed only for a fine save by the Antrim goalkeeper Ryan Elliot. Antrim really started to get on top after this, scoring three points on the spin before a schmozzle ensued involving numerous players from both sides. Wexford’s Matt O’Hanlon, and Antrim’s Neil Macmanus were deemed the main culprits with Macmanus seeing yellow and O’Hanlon strangely seeing red. 

Antrim’s momentum was building, and the second half waterbreak couldn’t come soon enough for Wexford. In the third quarter Antrim had outscored them 7 to 2 with Keelan Molloy, James McNaughton from play and Conall Cunning being impeccable from frees. On the other side, although being outstanding from play, Lee Chin was far from perfect on frees, scoring 8 from 12 attempts. 

During the water break Wexford joined Davy at the barrier to the stand and whatever was said it got them going again. Antrim hit the front for the first time with a fine score from Neil MacManus, but Wexford rattled off 4 of the next 5, with scores from Joe O’Connor, Paul Morris and Chin (2, 1 free). A sucker punch arrived when substitute Shea Shannon hit the back of the net after a superb pass from MacManus, who was lucky not to get a second yellow for a dangerous tackle on Gavin Bailey a little earlier. Chin drew the sides level once again with a free almost immediately. Macmanus was then officially given his marching orders for a second yellow, the game was really in the melting pot. 

Mark Fanning made a game saving stop when Keelan Molloy aimed for goal, the ball trickled along the goal line and the crowd were on their feet, then McMaughton put Antrim in front again. A Lee Chin free brought Wexford level, then the excellent Liam Óg McGovern was put through by Macdonald and put Wexford ahead by the minimum. However, there was 1 more twist with time basically up, Shannon picked out Molloy near the sideline, he ran forward and levelled them up for the final time. A superb game with a fair result in the end.

Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Damon McMullan, Gerard Walsh, Stephen Rooney; Eoghan Campbell, Paddy Burke, Joe Maskey; James McNaughton 0-6, (0-3 frees), Keelan Molloy 0-5; Niall McKenna, Eoin O’Neill, Conor Johnston 0-1; Conal Cunning 0-7 (0-6 frees, 0-1 65), Neil McManus, Dan McCloskey.

Subs: Aodhán O’Brien for Joe Maskey (25), Ciaran Clarke for Dan McCloskey (49) 0-1, Shea Shannon for Eoin O’Neill (63) 1-0, Conal Bohill for Conor Johnston (70), Phelin Duffin for Stephen Rooney (70+5).

Wexford: Mark Fanning 0-1 (free); Shane Reck, Liam Ryan, Simon Donohoe 0-1; Connal Flood, Matthew O’Hanlon, Shaun Murphy; Diarmuid O’Keefe, Liam Og McGovern 0-2; Aidan Nolan 0-1, Conor McDonald 1-1, Paul Morris 1-1; Rory O’Connor 0-1, Lee Chin 0-9 (0-8 frees), Kevin Foley.

Subs: Jack O’Connor for Rory O’Connor (13), Joe O’Connor for Gavin Bailey (54) 0-1, Conor Hearne for Aidan Nolan (63), Joe O’Connor for Aidan Nolan (63), Conor Firman for Shaun Murphy (65), Mikie Dwyer for Paul Morris (65)

Referee: Patrick Murphy (Carlow)