‘They got what they deserved’ – Antrim hurlers cause shock in Leinster with comeback win over Wexford

Darren Gleeson's Saffrons had to come through adversity at times, with a couple of big calls going against them, but despite seven points in arrears early in the second half, they still refused to wilt as goals from Niall McKenna and Seaan Elliott saw them level before Gerard Walsh and Conal Cunning scored the winning points.

It was a day that few would have predicted due to Antrim's showing last week, but one they would have felt they had in them as Wexford were again caught late, having been forced to settle for a draw against Dublin last week.

"They got what they deserved," said Antrim manager Darren Gleeson.

The genuine hurling people who follow them about deserve that today and the team do; people go everywhere to the most unglamorous of places – that's who that is for.

“The boys realised that today. They dug in, filled themselves up and went hard again. They went six or seven down and filled themselves.

"Corrigan Park has been great to us again today against a fine Wexford team that had a cracking performance last week, but just that small bit more hunger was evident there today and I'm thrilled for the players."

The lead see-sawed for most of the opening half and Antrim led 0-8 to 0-7 after 27 minutes when came the first big moment as a Lee Chin free came back off the post and referee Colm Lyons spotted a pull on Conor McDonald, awarding Wexford a penalty to the fury of the hosts that Chin buried.

Antrim responded well to get to within one but were hit by a second goal from Chin and there was no debate about this one as he plucked Mark Fanning's long delivery from the sky, burst in and beat Ryan Elliott to help his team into a 2-9 to 0-12 lead at the break.

Wexford stretched that lead to seven early in the second period, but Antrim steadied and fought back with the next five points.

The gap was four on 55 minutes when Antrim suffered another setback as they had the ball in the net only to see it ruled out for a square ball.

But they continued to graft, and five minutes later, they were right back in it as James McNaughton made a superb run with Wexford defenders challenging, played inside to Niall McKenna, who finished to level.

Although Cian Byrne hit his fourth of the day and Conor McDonald his second straight after, Antrim were in front seven minutes from time as Aodhán O'Brien broke the ball to McNaughton, who again turned provider, this time for Seaan Elliott to bury.

Chin took his tally for the day to 2-11 from a free to tie it up, but Antrim wanted, deserved and got more as Gerard Walsh landed a sideline that was worthy of a winner and Cunning made sure of it as Antrim prevailed.

"With 15 minutes to go, we were probably in control of things, six or seven points up," a disappointed Wexford boss, Keith Rossiter, reflected.

"Any time they came down, we had an answer, but Antrim don't give up and we know from before we've had close shaves and a draw a couple of years ago.

"We left them in it and they came back with two goals in the last 10 minutes, real sucker punches."

SCORERS – Antrim: C Cunning 0-7 (7f); S Elliott 1-3; N McKenna 1-1; G Walsh 0-4 (1f, 1sl); J McNaughton 0-3 (2f); K Molloy 0-2; C Boyd, N Elliott 0-1 each. Wexford: L Chin 2-11 (0-6f, 1-0 pen); C Byrne 0-4; C McDonald 0-2; C Dunbar, R O'Connor, L Óg McGovern 0-1.

ANTRIM: R Elliott; N O'Connor, R McGarry, P Burke; G Walsh, C Boyd, C Bohill; E Campbell, S Elliott; N Elliott, K Molloy, J McNaughton; C Cunning, N McKenna, C McCann. Subs: A O'Brien for C McCann (31), C McKeown for N Elliott (47), M Bradley for N McKenna (70+3).

WEXFORD: M Fanning; S Reck, C Foley, N Murphy; S Donohoe, D Reck, M O'Hanlon; C Hearne, K Foley; L Óg McGovern, L Chin, C Dunbar; C Byrne, C McDonald, R O'Connor. Subs: E Ryan for N Murphy (53), R Lawlor for C Dunbar (57), S Casey for C Hearne (59).

REFEREE: C Lyons (Cork)