Offaly are staring relegation to the Christy Ring Cup in the face after they suffered a two-point defeat at the hands of Antrim in O’Connor Park today.

Interim boss Joachim Kelly – who took over from Kevin Martin following the round 2 defeat to Westmeath – was powerless to prevent his team from slipping to a 4-18 to 3-23 to defeat to the Saffrons.

To compound Offaly woes, they played with an extra man for almost 45 minutes after the visitors lost the services of full-back Martin Burke to a straight red card in the 7th minute.

Neil McManus top scored for Antrim with 0-10 (three from play) while Keelan Molloy (2) and Nigel Elliot netted their goals.

Oisin Kelly raised a green flag for the home side in the first-half but they trailed by 1-11 to 2-10 at the change of ends.

A Joe Bergin goal gave the home side some hope but Offaly also finished the contest with 14 men after substitute Conor Mahon was dismissed in the 53rd minute.

Kelly pounced for a second goal with 15 minutes left on the clock while substitute Sean Cleary also found the back of the Antrim net in the second-half but Neal Peden’s side held on for the win.

A third defeat in the competition means that Kelly & Co must defeat Kerry in their final game and hope that results elsewhere go their way.

Meanwhile, a win for Antrim against Westmeath will secure the Ulster outfit a place in this year’s Joe McDonagh Cup decider.

Antrim - R Elliott; P Duffin, M Burke, S Rooney; J Maskey (0-1), P Burke, M Donnelly; N McKeague (0-1), D Kearney; N McManus (0-10), R McCambridge, K Molloy (2-0); E O’Neill, N Elliot (1-1), C Clarke (0-3). Subs: J McNaughton (0-4) for E O’Neill, E Campbell (0-3) for R McCambridge, J Dillon for D Kearney, D McCloskey for C Clarke.

Offaly - E Cahill (0-1); B Conneely, D Shortt, P Camon; C Kiely (0-1), S Kinsella, M Egan; A Treacy (0-3), P Murphy (0-1); C Egan, J Bergin (1-6), P Geraghty (0-2); K Connolly (0-1), O Kelly (2-2), S Dooley. Subs: C Mahon for C Egan, D Nally (0-1) for D Shortt, S Cleary (1-0) for S Dooley, K Dunne for P Murphy, D O’Toole Greene for P Camon.

Referee - L Gordon.

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