Ruairí McCann secures Antrim’s Division 3 status and relegates Wicklow

Prior to throw-in, the Saffrons knew at least a draw would be enough for survival, but Wicklow had to win and her visitors gave it everything

Antrim were never behind though, and when they opened the scoring they stayed in front.

"It was just a nervy game, but everyone knew what was at stake so I would be nervy," said a relieved Antrim manager Andy McEntee.

"We did things well, but just coughed up possession a bit too often. When we got to six points up, we should have been a lot more comfortable but you give Wicklow a lot of credit - they keep coming.

"I'm just delighted and for he group as it's been a tough enough year. At one stage we had 14 or 15 on the injury list, so it's a fair statement the lads stuck at it and came through.

"It's a bit of a relief to everybody as we can park it and look to he next part of the year."

Both sides looked a little nervy early on but when Ryan McQuillan, one of three late changes for the Saffrons, nailed a fifth-minute free, this settled them.

The Glenravel man curled over from play straight after and Dominic McEnhill then landed a splendid score as Antrim looked on their way.

The three-point margin remained as the sides swapped points, but there was a sense Wicklow were growing into it.

Kevin Quinn's second free and a great score on the break from Johnny Carlin narrowed the gap to one, but Antrim managed to respond through Eunan Walsh.

Wicklow looked to have brought it to the minimum at the break, but then came a big moment in stoppage time. Walsh sent a high ball in and his Aghagallon club-mate Ruairi McCann – making his first appearance in the League – rose high to finish at close range and send Antrim into the break with a 1-7 two 0-6 advantage.

Wicklow needed response and two early points in the second period suggested they were right up for it, but enter Paddy McBride. Playing on his home patch, the St John's man slung over two superb scores, sandwiching one from Ronan Boyle and a free from McEnhill had Antrim six clear.

But Wicklow weren't done as they hit five of the next six points as Quinn continued to impress, while Dean Healy and Jack Kirwan chipped in.

Just two points separated the sides on 68 minutes when McCann was involved in another big moment as he took down a long ball, but was taken out by Malachy Stone who saw red and McBride converted the free.

There was still time for Wicklow and Quinn's seventh of the day left it on a knife-edge, but it was McBride again to land the insurance score as Antrim claimed the win that secured their survival and sent Wicklow down.

SCORERS – Antrim: R McCann (Aghagallon) 1-1, P McBride (1f), R McQuillan (3f) 0-4 each, D McEnhill 0-2 (1f), E Walsh, R Boyle, M Jordan 0-1 each. Wicklow: K Quinn 0-7 (5f),D Healy, C O'Brien 0-2 each, J Carlin, P O'Keane,J Kirwan 0-1 each.

ANTRIM: M Byrne 8; D Lynch 7, E Walsh 7, K Keenan 7; R Boyle 7, J Finnegan 7, D McAleese 6; C Hynds 7, M Jordan 7; E McCabe 6, P McBride 9, R McCann (Creggan) 6; R McQuillan 7, R McCann (Aghagallon) 8, D McEnhill 7. Subs: C Hand 7 for D McAleese (25), E Hynds 7 for R McCann (Creggan, 25), N Burns 6 for D McEnhill (66), D McNicholl 6 for K Keenan (70+3).

WICKLOW: S Doyle 7; T Moran 7, M Stone 6, E Murtagh 7; M Nolan 6, P O'Keane 7, G Fogarty 6; D Healy 7, C Maguire 6; D Fee 6, C O'Brien 7, C Baker 6; J Carlin 6, K Quinn 8, JP Nolan 5.Subs: J Kirwan for C Maguire (49), G Murphy for G Fogarty (49), O McGraynor for C O'Brien (55), J Prendergast for J Carlin (62).

REF: K Faloon (Armagh)