Down shut the door on Saffrons

Down fended off a stubborn Antrim challenge to secure their place in the Ulster SFC semi-finals.

The hosts never trailed against a Saffon side full of endeavour but ultimately didn’t have the pop up front to make a real charge, as Down managed to keep a bit of daylight between them to get the job done in solid, if unspectacular fashion.

It was the Mournemen who were quickly into stride as Ryan McEvoy slung over within 42 seconds and then Antrim would lose Conor Hand to a black cards with just over two gone.

A Pat Havern free extended the Down lead, but Antrim grew into it as Michael Byrne nailed a ’45 and Ryan McQuillan curled over after Hand returned to the field.

Antrim had settled, but were not using the strong wind at their backs, opting not to go long as Down were letting them off the hook at the other end.

Eventually, the hosts found their range with the next three points through Miceal Rooney, Odhran Murdock and an Oisín Savage free.

Hand hit back, but the score of the first half came from Ryan Johnston from a mark he sliced beautifully to help his side into a 0-6 to 0-3 lead at the half.

They stretched the lead through Savage and Daniel Guinness early in the second period, but Antrim were hanging in as they hit back with two of their own and Marc Jordan replied to another from Guinness. Liam Kerr and Eoghan McCabe then traded scores, but Antrim spurned some chances to get closer with a Savage free easing own nerves.

They pushed on with Shane Annett and Ceilum Doherty on target and although McQuillan and Ruairí McCann landed frees for Antrim, it was goals they needed but the door was shut as Down saw it out.

Scorers — Down: O Savage 0-3 (2f, 1m), D Guinness 0-2, R McEvoy, O Murdock, M Rooney, L Kerr, C Doherty, S Annett, R Johnston (1m), P Havern (1f) 0-1 each. Antrim: R McQuillan 0-3 (2f), C Hand, M Jordan, E McCabe, M Byrne (1 ’45), P McBride (1f), R McCann (1f) 0-1 each. Down: J O’Hare 8; P Fegan 7, R McEvoy

8, C Doherty 7; M Rooney 8, P Laverty 7, D Guinness 8; S Johnston 6, O Murdock 7; C McCrickard 6, L Kerr 7, R Johnston 7; B O’Hagan 6, P Havern 5, D Magill 6. Subs: O Savage 8 for P Havern (25), E Brown 7 for C McCrickard (48), S Annett 7 for B O’Hagan (53), R Magill 7 for S Johnston (62), R

Mason 6 for D Magill (70+5)

Antrim: M Byrne 7; R Boyle 7, E Walsh

8, K Keenan 7; D Lynch 7, J Finnegan 7, D McAleese 7; C Hynds , M Jordan 6; C Hand 6, P McBride 7, E McCabe 6; R McQuillan 7, R McCann 6, D McEnhill 6. Subs: N Burns 6 for D McEnhill (HT), P McAleer 7 for R Boyle (53), E Hynds 6 for E Walsh (67), P Shivers 6 for R McQuillan (70+7).

Referee: B Cassidy (Derry)