Allianz Football League Division Three:
Antrim 1-6 Down 1-15
When Antrim goalkeeper Mick Byrne sent over his second point of the game from a free, fifteen minutes into the second half to bring his side back on terms at 1-5 to 0-8 it looked like the big crowd inside Corrigan Park were in for a thrilling finish. The Saffrons actually had a chance to take the lead for the first time soon afterwards but as was so often the case throughout the game the final pass did not get to hand and Down were soon back ahead, a lead they would not lose.
That final quarter saw the Mourne men produced their best play of the game and after being denied a goal by a brilliant Mick Byrne save the men in red and black pushed on to win with ease, outscore Antrim by 1-7 to 0-1 during the run in to keep their 100% league record intact.
The visitors won the toss and with the breeze at their backs they dominated the early stages, hitting three unanswered points through Pat Havern, James Guinness and Havern again to pull three ahead after 14 minutes.
Things were getting worrying for Antrim but they got back into the game when a good move involving Eoin Hyndes and Marc Jordan was fired to the Down net by midfielder Paddy McAleer to bring the home side level. However Down took over again and went back ahead with a point from a free by goalkeeper John O’Hare and with the visitors enjoying the Lions share of possession Pat Havern and Liam Kerr put the gap out to three again.
Antrim goalkeeoer Mik Byrne sends over a point from a free.
Soon afterwards Antrim goalkeeper Mick Byrne came up the field to hit a free from out on the stand sideline, and cleverly found Joseph Finnegan with a pin-point pass, and the St Brigid’s man sent over an excellent point. Soon afterwards the gap was back to the minimum when Paddy McAleer won a kick out and set Dominic McEnhill away for a well taken point, but Down had the last say of the opening half when Havern sent over another free to give his side a 0-7 to 1-2 lead at the short whistle.
Down stretched their lead to three early in the second half but Antrim scores from the Rossa duo of Mick Byrne and Dominic McEnhill closed the gap to the minimum. and the signs were promising for the home fans. When goalkeeper Mick Byrne brought the home side back on terms the scene was set for a great contest, but Down were able to lift the tempo when it was needed and they clicked into gear in going down the home straight.
Murdock and Havern increased their lead though Antrim kept in touch with a another point from Mick Byrne to close the gap to two with fifteen minutes left to play. That however was as close as the Saffrons would come and Down finished with a flourish picking of a series of excellent points before adding the cherry to the cake with an injury time goal from their excellent substitute Ceilum Doherty to seal an impressive win.
A big dent in Antrim’s promotion hopes, but they can bounce back next weekend when they travel to Markievicz Park in Sligo to take on their old adversaries.
Antrim scorers: Paddy McAleer 1-0, Dominic McEnhill 0-3 (0-2fs), Mick Byrne 0-2 (0-2fs), Joe Finnegan 0-1.
Down scorers: Pat Havern 0-6 (0-4fs), Ceilum Doherty 1-1, James Guinness 0-2, Oisin Savage 0-2, Danny Magill 0-1, John O’Hare 0-1 (0-1 45), Liam Kerr 0-1, Odhran Murdock 0-1.
Paddy’s Pics
