Ballycastle Chronicle - Sports - Antrim’s McKenna Cup hopes gone

Sports

Antrim’s McKenna Cup hopes gone

Thursday, 19 January 2012

Antrim.......0-10
Tyrone.......1-12
Antrim's first bid for silverware in the 2012 season went up in smoke at Casement Park on Sunday afternoon when Tyrone came to town. They ended five points in arrears in a game well worth watching, but unfortunately, have still not found the winning formula.
That may well come out on top against Queen's University in their next game but it will not be enough to keep them in the hunt for McKenna Cup glory.
Manager Liam Bradley had to put a brave face on things after this slip up, with the word silverware appearing nowhere in his remarks.
“I think I have found four or five players," said the Derry native. "Brian Neeson looked dangerous when he got the ball, Conal Kelly had a good game in the middle of the field and Paddy Gallagher had a good time when he came into the full back line.
“I am disappointed with the defeat but I am happy enough with the way we played. There is definitely going to be changes to our team this year. There are a lot of guys who were household names for the last two or three years who were slotted into the team. That is not going to happen anymore.
“These new guys are putting pressure on and that is what we want. We are quite happy with the way things are going."
Certainly the unearthing of new talent was one of Bradley's objectives at the start of this competition but he also had hoped to advance to the semi-final of this competition. That is not going to happen, the defeat by Fermanagh putting paid to that. The best they can now do is get their season up and running with a victory against Queen's. Defeat there would be an absolute disaster.
There nearly always appears to be a spanner in the works where Antrim are concerned and, in this instance, it was the introduction of Stephen O'Neill. His goal and three points played an enormous part in Tyrone's success and he literally stole the game.
Tyrone were certainly there for the taking in the opening half. Seven wides and three efforts falling short into the arms of the Antrim 'keeper Chris Kerr gave the Saffrons ever chance but they simply weren't able to kill off their seasoned opponents.
The home side got off to a flyer and their fans were on their feet. Midfielder Conal Kelly got them away and Brian Neeson soon followed with a couple of good points. Paddy Cunningham then fired over and at, 0-4 to 0-1, it looked Antrim's afternoon.
Then came a series of missed chances and Tyrone were off the hook, and came back to trail by just two points at the half way mark. It should have been a very different tale for Antrim, had they pressed home their advantage, another failing Bradley has still to resolve.
The second half was a complete reversal of roles with O'Neill's class shining through. Two early pointed frees levelled matters and suddenly the confidence visibly oozed from the Antrim lads.
O'Neill added a couple of killer scores and, as a contest it was over. After just twelve minutes play they had hit the Saffrons for six, enough to demoralise any opposition.
The home side however displayed a new trait, that of coming back against the odds, and four quick scores from Kelly, substitute Tomas McCann and two further Cunningham efforts had them just one back, and still in with a shout.