Antrim beat Carlow to grab final Tailteann Cup semi-final spot

Antrim are the final team confirmed for the Tailteann Cup semi-finals as they fended off Carlow's challenge at Corrigan Park on Sunday.

A haul of 11 points saw Dominic McEnhill top-score for Andy McEntee's side in the 1-19 to 1-15 win, while dual star Gerard Walsh came off the bench for his first taste of football action in county colours after representing the hurlers earlier in the year.

The Saffrons grew into the game after a slow start to take over and while Carlow kept in touch, the hosts always seemed to be able to find an answer to get over the line.

Carlow were much brighter in the opening stages with Ross Dunphy kicking them into a second minute lead, but gradually the hosts settled, pressing the visitors high up the field and this pressure began to pay off as they forced turnovers and won frees.

They did lose Dermott McAleese and Conor Stewart to injures in the opening quarter, but these losses didn't seem to make a dent as Dominic McEnhill levelled from a free and then kicked another three on the spin before goalkeeper Mick Byrne got in on the act with one of his own.

Darragh Foley ended a barren 19 minutes for Carlow from a free and then added another from play immediately after, but Antrim were certainly on top with Cathal Hynds getting their first from play and Patrick McCormick with another.

Antrim led by three after 32 minutes when came a big moment as Patrick McBride's shot for a point dropped short and Aghagallon's Ruairi McCann got the faintest of touches to the net.

There were further goal chances as McEnhill was thwarted by Johnny Furey and Marc Jordan with an effort hacked clear, but the Saffrons were 1-08 to 0-05 to the good at the half.

The visitors began the second period brightly with Foley kicking an