Antrim 3-18
Kerry 2-14

Antrim delivered a ruthless first-half display to down Kerry at Corrigan Park in the third round of the Joe McDonagh Cup.

The home side registered three goals in the opening 26 minutes to blow the Kingdom away as they went on to lead by 11 points at the break.

Conor McCann’s goal inside the opening minutes handed the Saffrons the perfect start and while Kerry would respond with points from Shane Conway and Mikey Boyle, they’d soon be dealt another hammer blow.

After Ciaran Clarke’s point put a goal between the sides again, McCann cut through on seven minutes to lash home his second major.

The visitors responded with a Conway free but the wind was very much in Antrim’s sails as McCann, Clarke, Michael Bradley and Dan McCloskey all rifled over points before the water break.

Padraig Boyle hit back with a point for Kerry prior to Bradley ripping through for a third Antrim goal, as went on to take a 3-10 to 1-5 lead at the interval.

Kerry did rue some missed goal opportunities during the opening half but they’d be back in contention when Conway lashed in for three points four minutes into the restart.

Tomas O’Connor and Conway (free) grabbed points before the water break but they needed goals up on the resumption that never came their way, as scores from Clarke, Keelan Molloy and the excellent McCann were enough to see out Antrim’s victory.

Antrim - R Elliott; P Duffin, M Donnelly, S Rooney; G Walsh, P Burke, J Maskey; E Campbell, K Molloy (0-3); N McKenna, J McNaughton, M Bradley (1-2); D McCloskey (0-1), C McCann (2-3), C Clarke (0-9, 7f). Subs: D Nugent for N McKenna, E O'Neill for D McCloskey, D McMullan for M Bradley, R Molloy for J McNaughton, R McCambridge for K Molloy.

Kerry - M Stackpoole; J Buckley, B Murphy, E Leane; T O'Connor (0-1), J Diggins, F Mackessy; P O'Connor, S Nolan (0-1); B Barrett (0-1), D Collins (1-2), C Harty; S Conway (1-7, 0-4f), M Boyle (0-1), P Boyle (0-1). Subs: M O'Connor for J Diggins, M Leane for C Harty.

Referee - P Murphy.

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