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Meath’s James Toher with Tony McCloskey of Antrim Tommy Dickson/INPHO

Meath are finally Christy Ring Cup champions after win in nine goal thriller against Antrim

And that score line does seem to be right.

Meath 4-21
Antrim 5-17

(After extra-time)

MEATH HAVE BEEN crowned Christy Ring Cup champions at the second time of asking in this evening’s refixture at Croke Park, after a thrilling game against Antrim that delivered nine goals.

Stephen Clynch struck a last-gasp point from a free in extra-time to deliver glory for the Royals.

It was a sweet success for Meath after they had won the game against Antrim three weeks ago before a replay was ordered by the GAA due to a scoring mistake.

Antrim got off to a perfect start in normal time with a goal from Ciaran Clarke and Conor Johnston added a second before half-time to see them in front 2-8 to 0-6.

Meath dug deep in the second-half and roared back into contention with Neil Heffernan bagging a brace of goals to help them go in front 2-13 to 2-12 with just five minutes left.

There was incredible drama in the finale as Niall McKenna hit a third goal for Antrim, then Meath went back in front when Clynch netted before Darren Hamill proved Antrim’s hero with a goal with the last puck of normal-time. That left it 4-12 to 3-15 and extra-time was required to settle the issue.

Meath pounced for their fourth goal courtesy of Gavin McGowan in the first-half of extra-time as they went in front 4-17 to 4-15 at the midway mark.

Antrim refused to fold with James Connolly striking their fifth goal but as the action ebbed and flowed in a pulsating finale, it was Clynch who proved the hero with that late free.

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Fintan O'Toole
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