Red-hot Currie fires minor hurlers to victory over Antrim

Sun, 23rd July 2017

DUBLIN 2-20 ANTRIM 0-11

Seán Currie was the Dublin scoring star as Dublin's minor hurlers progressed to the last-four after defeating Antrim by 15 points in Saturday's All-Ireland MHC quarter-final at Páirc Esler, Newry.

Dublin will now face Munster champions Cork in their All-Ireland MHC semi-final on Sunday, August 13 in Croke Park.

The Na Fianna sharp-shooter tallied a superb 2-13, 2-9 from play, in a stunning individual scoring exhibition as the young Dubs bounced back well from their Leinster MHC final disappointment.

Currie, in fact, could have had a third goal but an early effort was stopped by Antrim keeper Paul McMullan.

The opening exchanged were even with Tiarnan Murphy opening the scoring for Antrim before Currie opened his account.

Ben Coffey edged the Dubs in front following good work by Luke McDwyer and Currie slotted a free to extending Dublin's lead.

By the 22nd minute Dublin had moved 0-6 to 0-2 clear following two more Currie frees and a point from Liam Murphy.

By the break Fintan Clandillon's side were 0-10 to 0-3 in front after the Dubs had upped the pace with Emmet Allen, Currie (two), and Mark Grogan all on target.

Antrim rallied in the third quarter to cut the gap to five points, 0-11 to 0-6, but from there on Dublin dominated.

Currie struck his first goal with just over 15 minutes remaining and five minutes from time he showed his poacher's instincts again.

SCORERS - Dublin: S Currie 2-13 (0-4f), E Allen, M Grogan 0-2 each, B Coffey, L Murphy, C Derwin 0-1 each. Antrim: S Elliott 0-5 (0-3f), T Murphy 0-4 (0-4f), D Smith, A McGrath 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: C O’Donoghue; A Dunphy, B McHugh, K Burke; E O’Neill, L Walsh, L Gannon; D Keogh, B Coffey; M Grogan, E Allen, E O’Donnell; L Murphy, S Currie, L McDwyer. Subs: S Lambe for McDwyer (49), C Derwinfor Grogan (51), B Smith for Dunphy (55), J Byrne for Murphy (55), J Rooney for O’Donoghue (67).

ANTRIM: P McMullan; O McAuley, S Walsh, P Lennon; S Magill, C Boyd, R McGarry; M McGreevy, C McHugh; E McQuillan, C Scullion, N McCormack; T Murphy, D Smith, S Elliott. Subs: A McGrath for Scullion (7), E McManamin for McGrath (52), F McCurry for Lennon (57), M Smith for McAuley (57).

REF: J Keane (Galway).