Antrim 1-17
London 2-7
ANTRIM ARE THROUGH to the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship quarter-finals with one game to play after a seven-point win over London in Ballycastle this afternoon.
The win follows victory over Westmeath (0-23 to 2-11) and Carlow (2-18 to 1-17) in the earlier stages of the new-look Leinster qualifying tournament.
Despite hitting 10 wides in the first half, Kevin Ryan’s men went into the break with the narrowest of leads – 0-6 to 0-5 - Paul Shiels and Neil McMmanus among the scorers for the Saffrons.
It was Shiels who grabbed Antrim’s goal with the first score of the second period before London were reduced to 14-men following the dismissal of Noel McDonald.
Despite goals from Martin Dugan and Kevin Walsh, London couldn’t fight back and it is Antrim who’ll advance to the last eight in Leinster with six points from six.
Laois 1-22
Carlow 0-14
In the day’s other game, Laois also retained their 100% record with an 11-point win over Carlow in Portlaoise.
Séamus Plunkett’s side had a good league campaign in Division 1B and ran All-Ireland champions Clare very close in the league quarter-finals.
However, they struggled last week against Westmeath but made light work of neighbours Carlow today, racing into a six point half-time lead, Stephen Maher with eight points (five from frees) as they led 0-14 to 0-8 at the break.
A Tommy Fitzgerald goal ten minutes into the second half all but killed the game and the win puts Laois on course to join Antrim in the Leinster quarter-finals.
