DOWN DO ENOUGH TO SINK SAFFRONS
DOWN fended off a stubborn Antrim challenge to secure their place in the Ulster SFC semi-finals.
The hosts never trailed against a Saffrons side full of endeavour but ultimately didn’t have the pop up front to make a real charge, as Down managed to get the job done in solid, if unspectacular fashion.
It was the Mournemen who were quickly into their stride as Ryan McEvoy slung over within 42 seconds before Antrim lost Conor Hand to a black cards with just 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’s return.
Antrim had settled, but 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 hit back with two of their own and Marc Jordan replied to another from Guinness. Liam Kerr and Eoghan McCabe then traded scores, before a Savage free eased home nerves.
They pushed on with Shane Annett and Ceilum Doherty on target and although McQuillan and Ruairí McCann landed frees for Antrim, 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)