Offaly see off Antrim in HQ play-off
Antrim 0-18 Offaly 5-17
Offaly's hurlers proved that goals win matches at a sparsely-populated Croke Park today, firing five past Ulster champions Antrim to maintain their Liam McCarthy Cup status for 2006.
Brendan Murphy, Brian Carroll, who top-scored with 1-8, and Joe Brady all netted against recalled Saffrons' goalkeeper Gareth Magee in the first half, while a double blast from Michael Cordial wrapped up the win in the second.
Cordial - a nephew of former Faithfuls great Brendan Keeshan - bagged 2-3 in all as Antrim lost their fourth straight All-Ireland tie this summer and shortened their chances of playing in the second-tier Christy Ring Cup next season.
Living off a five-point haul from Johnny McIntosh, Antrim trailed 3-11 to 0-10 at the break. Carroll hit 1-6 in the opening half, while a 2-6 burst from John McIntyre's side between the fourth and 15th-minute set the tone.
A 40th-minute Cordial goal pushed Offaly 4-11 to 0-11 in front.
To their credit the Saffrons then hit five points without reply, with Brian McFall (0-3), Karl McKeegan and Ciaran Herron on target to reduce the arrears to 0-18 to 4-14, but Offaly mercilessly pushed on again and Cordial's second goal sealed Antrim's place in the relegation final.
There, they will meet either Dublin or Laois, who face off in today's other relegation semi-final in Carlow (throw-in 7.00pm).
