Joe McDonagh Cup – Group Stage – Round Two
Antrim 6-22 Down 3-16
Sunday April 24
Antrim made short work of Down on Sunday afternoon as they swept aside the challenge of the Mournemen with plenty to spare at the end of 70 minutes. It was a hugely impressive performance from the Saffrons who made a lightning start to the contest and maintained control throughout. In what was a significantly efficient performance, Darren Gleeson’s men scored 5-12 from open play and a list of 10 different scorers against a Down side who were full of confidence following their win against Kerry just seven days previous.
While the sun shone on the Ballycran pitch, a swirling wind made life difficult for both sides but Conal Cunning managed to score all but one of his frees, eight of his ten points from placed ball.
The Saffrons majors came from Ciaran Clarke (two), Seaan Elliott (two), Domhnall Nugent and Conor Johnston. Clarke’s first coming after just ten seconds of the game while this was possibly Elliott’s finest game in a Saffron shirt. Scoring two goals, a point from a side line and tormenting the Down defence.
Down struggled to get to grips with this game, Antrim’s interplay and conditioning looked superior on the day and while the home side had moments of joy, they were few and far between. Their majors all came in the second half with Eoghan Sands bagging a brace and substitute Chris Egan with the third in a lively 20 minute performance that saw him score 1-2.
Daithai Sands was always a handful with his battle against Phelim Duffin a brilliant sub plot to the contest. Duffin was starting his first competitive game since the Antrim Championship semi-final and he restricted the talented Down forward to four points overall and despite this probably held the upperhand on that contest. Down tried to get Sands more into the game but Duffin was at his impish best, rarely giving Sands an inch.
The Saffrons will look at the three goals they conceded in the second half as cause for concern and will certainly be looking to eradicate any sloppiness as they plan ahead to next weekend for the visit of Carlow.
Some of Antrim’s attacking play at times was breathtaking. Their ability to break from rucks at speed and pick a man of the shoulder in space was phenomenal while crisp, precise and incisive passing to hand meant Down chased shadows. In the first half, defensively they were astute, organised and never gave Down an inch. Playing against the wind after the restart, their use of the sliotar shone as well as their playing speed and economic use of the sliotar. The Saffrons used the elements to perfection as they varied their style of attack. Domhnall Nugent was once again a monster with Down rarely dealing with him legally, both he and Joe Maskey sharing the bulk of the physical play while Conor McCann was never far behind. With Cunning, Clarke and Johnston quick to pick up on loose ball, a long delivery finisged with a score more often than not.
The goals showcased the best Antrim has to offer. The first coming straight from the throw in and Maskey marauding through the middle before playing Clarke and he hammered home as the clock ticked 10 seconds.
With five between the sides in the 13th minute, Seaan Elliott scored his first major. Niall O’Connor with the long delivery and Conor McCann contesting. The sliotar broke loose and Elliott collected, finishing with ease.
11 points separated the sides at the interval with Antrim ahead 2-13 to 0-8 and the Saffrons made another dream start, scoring 1-2 inside the opening four minutes. Elliott ripping through the Down defence and clearly with goal on his mind, was tripped by Sean McManus. The Down fullback received a black card and Antrim received a penalty with Clarke sending Stephen Keith the wrong way.
The fourth major came through Elliott with Clarke proving the assist. As a ruck formed, Clarke burst clear and passed to Elliott in space. A beautiful passage of play that had the Antrim fans who made the journey down the Ards Penninsula purring and a score that put 16 points between the sides with more than a quarter of the game remaining.
Down made a mini-comeback of sorts with a couple of goals coming in less than five minutes of play. Substitute Chris Egan with the first after an uncertain passage of play in the Antrim defence while Eoghan Sands second major of the game followed a swift passage of play involving four handpasses to free Sands.
Any thoughts of the home side clawing their way back into the game were dispersed soon after however. McManus with the vision to pick Johnston in space as the Down defence swarmed to try and intercept, Johnston side stepping Keith in the Down goals before finishing.
12 points separated the sides with not long left on the clock when Domhnall Nugent scored the goal his performance deserved. Another intricate passing move sent Nugent through on goal and while he had three Down players for company, Nugent unorthodoxly squeezed the sliotar to the back of the Down net for Antrim’s sixth major.
A 15 point win, a very good performance and momentum at the back of those Saffron shirts. Carlow await.
TEAMS
Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Phelim Duffin, Gerard Walsh, Niall O’Connor; Paddy Burke, Eoghan Campbell, Ryan McGarry; Joe Maskey, Conal Cunning; James McNaughton, Domhnall Nugent, Conor McCann; Seaan Elliott, Ciaran Clarke, Conor Johnston
Subs: Neil McManus for J McNaughton (44); Eoin O’Neill for C McCann (48); Matthew Donnelly for N O’Connor (51); Daniel McKernan for J Maskey (58); Conal Bohill for S Elliott (69)
Scorers: C Cunning 0-10 (8f); S Elliott 2-1; C Clarke 2-1 (1-00 pen); D Nugent 1-2; C Johnston 1-2; C McCann 0-2; J Maskey 0-1; P Burke 0-1; D McKernan 0-1; G Walsh 0-1 (f)
Down: Stephen Keith; Michael Hughes, John McManus, Tom Murray; Matt Conlon, Conor Woods, Caolan Taggart; Pearse Og McCrickard, Liam Savage; Marc Fisher, Paul Sheehan, Jordan Doran; Daithai Sands, Darragh Mallon, Eoghan Sands
Subs: Gerard Hughes for J Doran (41); Chris Egan for P Sheehan (43); Declan McCartney for D Mallon (53); Padraig Doran for M Fisher (58); Oisin McManus for P Og McCrickard (60)
Scorers: E Sands 2-00; C Egan 1-2; D Sands 0-4; P Sheehan 0-2 (2f); P Og McCrickard 0-2; P Doran 0-2 (1f); M Conlon 0-1; M Fisher 0-1; G Hughes 0-1; O McManus 0-1 (1f)
Referee: John Keenan (Wicklow)
