There was a stunning end to this National Hurling League Division 1B encounter at Netwatch Cullen Park on Sunday when Antrim's Gerard Walsh, scored a late goal from a free to earn his side a 2-18 to 1-21 draw against Carlow.
It was probably deserved as Antrim had missed a penalty and Conor Johnston also had a shot which hit the bottom right hand upright and rebound to safety.
Carlow led 1-11 to 0-08 at the interval with Chris Nolan scoring the goal when finding the net on 28 minutes. James Doyle also hit three points from play. In reply, Eoghan Campbell scored two points for Antrim and James McNaughton also landed three to keep the visitors in touch against a hungry-looking home side who were having only their third game of the campaign.
Nolan opened the second half scoring for Carlow but Antrim hit back with Johnston picking off two points in quick succession. McNaughton’s successful free taking kept Antrim in touch when Carlow had their dominant spell in the opening half.
The penalty came with ten minutes remaining when Paul Doyle fouled McNaughton. The defender was black-carded but McNaughton saw his shot saved by Brian Tracey.
Carlow hit back with a Conor Kehoe point and Marty Kavanagh also converted a couple of frees.
McNaughton and Eoin McFerran points, with a Johnston goal set up the tense finish. Carlow seemed to be in control but a few wrong decisions hurt them. Antrim also looked to be facing a lost cause when they had a free reversed in injury time.
The home side failed to capitalise when losing possession and conceded the free where Walsh found a way to get the sliotar past a mass of players which earned them a share of the spoils.
Carlow: Brian Tracey: Paidi O’Shea, Dion Wall, Paul Doyle; Fiachra Fitzpatrick (0-02), Kevin McDonald, Jack McCullagh; Evan Kealy, Ciaran Whelan (0-02); Jon Nolan (0-01), Marty Kavanagh 0-07 (65 5fs), John Doyle; Conor Kehoe (0-01), Chris Nolan (1-04 0-1sl), James Doyle (0-03).
Subs: Paddy Boland for J Nolan (53), Ted Joyce (0-1) for John Doyle (59), Donagh Murphy for Kehoe (63).
Antrim: Ryan Elliott, Eoin McFerran (0-01), Paddy Burke, Stephen Rooney; Joe Maskey, Eoin Campbell (0-02), Conal Bohill (0-01); Niall O’Connor, Gerard Walsh (1-00 free); Ryan McCambridge (0-01), Keelan Molloy (0-01), Nigel Elliott (0-01); Eoin O’Neill, James McNaughton (0-08 6fs), Conor Johnston (1-02).
Subs: Cormac McKeown (0-01) for O’Neill (31), Joseph McLaughlin for McCambridge (65).
Referee: Chris Mooney (Dublin).
