Clynch point secures sensational Christy Ring Cup victory

Meath won the Christy Ring Cup for real on this occasion as they eclipsed Antrim by a point on a 4-21 to 5-17 scoreline with Steven Clynch sending over the winning point with the last puck of the sliotar in front of 2,938 supporters after extra-time at Croke Park this evening.

Meath manager Martin Ennis had to make one change to his starting 15 with Shane Whitty coming in for Steven Clynch, but his Antrim counterpart Dominic McKinley made six changes with Eoin Gillan, Paddy Burke, Fergus Donnelly, Nigel Elliott, Sean McAfee and Benny McCarry all called up.

The Antrim manager saw hais team make a perfect start with a third minute goal from Ciaran Clarke helping to boost the Ulster men to a 2-8 to 0-6 interval lead. The second goal arrived in added time at the end of the first-half and was more to do with poor Meath defending that anything great from Antrim.

Meath goalkeeper Shane McGann blocked a centre from McCarry, but he patted it down and into the path of the in-rushing Conor Johnston who rifled to the net.

In between those goals Antrim picked off points from Clarke and Johnstown (two each), McCarry, McAfee and Eoghan Campbell while Meath had to rely on the accuracy of James Toher from frees as the Trim man converted five frees with the first score from play arriving close to the interval from Stephen Morris. Meath also tallied seven wides in that opening half and found it difficult to cope with a more street-wise Antrim side who were guilty of some blatant fouling in the early part of the half.

However, Meath scored 3-9 in the second-half with two goals from Neil Heffernan and one from Clynch who was introduced at half-time and certainly added a liitle extra to the attack, but Antrim kept battling and stayed in touch with 1-4 from Niall McKenna and a sensational last minute goal from Darren Hamill that sent the tie into extra-time – Meath 3-15, Antrim 4-12.

Gavin McGowan's goal boosted Meath to a 4-17 to 4-15 lead at the end of the first-half of extra-time, but Antrim's James Connolly found the Meath net in the second period and with two minutes remaining the Ulster side wwas ahead by 5-17 to 4-18.

Meath dug deep and points from Clynch and Toher drew the sides level again. In added time Antrim threatened to break for one last effort, but Joey Keena won possession and was fouled, Clynch stepped up and sent the sliotar over the black sport from the resultant free.