Saffrons stun Cats in Walsh Cup

Sambo McNaughton's young side will play UCD in the semi-finals

Antrim hurlers produced a major shock by beating All-Ireland Champions Kilkenny 2-15 to 1-17 in the Walsh Cup at Freshford on Sunday.

The Cats had seven starters from last year's All-Ireland Final win but Antrim were full value for their victory.

Liam Watson hit 1-8 for the Saffrons while Karl McKeegan scored Antrim's other goal.

Antrim led 2-8 to 0-7 and while Eoin McCormack's goal cut the visitors' lead, the Saffrons held on to win.

Goalkeeper Ryan McGarry even got in on the scoring act for Antrim while Kevin Elliott, Simon McCrory, Neil McManus and substitute Mickey Kettle were also among the Saffrons' scorers.

McGarry also made two great late saves to deny Eoin McCormack and Richard Power but the Saffrons had earlier missed several scoring chances and they were deserving winners.

The performance of the young Antrim team delighted joint-team boss Sambo McNaughton who was guiding the county to their first senior win over Kilkenny in almost 20 years.

Kilkenny may have only returned from their team holiday to Dubai and Thailand on Thursday but any victory over the Cats, even one in January, is a noteworthy achievement.

Antrim's win earned them a semi-final clash with UCD next weekend.

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Antrim: R McGarry 0-1, A Graffin, N McGarry, S Delargy, C Herron, M McCambridge, K Elliott 0-1, K McKeegan 1-1, D Hamill, N McManus 0-1, L Watson 1-8, P McGill, S McCrory 0-1, C Donnelly, S McNaughton 0-1. Subs: M Kettle for N McGarry, K Stewart 0-1 for Donnelly, C Duffin for McNaughton.

Kilkenny: PJ Ryan; S Cummins, B Hogan, J Tyrell; J Dalton, PJ Delaney 0-1, J Ryall 0-1, R Mullally 0-1, W Dwyer, P Cleere, R Power 0-9, A Fogarty 0-2, E McCormack 1-0, E Brennan 0-2, R Hogan 0-1. Subs: E McGrath for Cleere, D Fogarty for Dwyer.