When they last met…..

Joe McDonagh Cup

Group Stage – Round Two

Antrim 6-22 Down 3-16

Sunday April 24

Brendan McTaggart reports from Ballycran

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……

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)