Above – Down midfielder Donal Hughes celebrates after his last gasp goal gave the men from the Ards victory over the Saffrons at Pairc Esler on Saturday evening

NHL Division 1B

Down 3-22 Antrim 3-20

Saturday 21 March

Brendan McTaggart reports from Páirc Esler, Newry

When James McNaughton pointed in the 73^rd minute of this contest, it gave Antrim a slender lead with time running out.  The Saffron forward allowed himself a small celebration and clinched fist.  You wouldn’t blame him for it either.  It looked like Antrim had seen this game through despite trailing by eight points in the first half.

Down had other ideas.  A brilliant pass from Caolan Taggart and a moment of genius from Donal Hughes gave Down victory with the last puck of the game.  A whirlwind ending to a helter-skelter contest that Antrim will feel they left the league points behind them.  Despite trailing by four points at half time, the Saffrons hit back in the second half.  They reeled the Down advantage in and took the lead at different times.  Down’s metal was tested but they never looked like wilting. 

It’s a contest that when reviewing, you’d have to say the better team on the day won, yet Antrim can count themselves unlucky not to have come away with the victory.  Seaan Elliott was excellent once again and Antrim’s star performer while Paul Boyle and Paddy Burke put in top performances.  Boyle opting to play for the Saffrons despite his St Pat’s Maghera side playing in the Paddy Buggy Final.  An All-Ireland final in itself with Boyle heavily involved in the Derry schools run in the Mageean Cup and journey to the final against Tralee CBS.

Down were excellent in winning breaking ball with Antrim struggling when the sliotar went loose and through Shea Pucci on the edge of the square had a player capable of scoring majors from nothing.  His first goal came through classic full forward play, breaking the sliotar into his own path and pulling first time to catch the Antrim defence off guard.  His second showcased his bravery and knack getting into the right place at the right time.  The sliotar played between Pucci and Cormac McFadden and despite the Antrim ‘keepers best efforts, Pucci got there first.  The brilliant Daithi Sands providing the assist for both majors.

Antrim were largely wasteful in the first half with several missed chances.  Their first goal came when the home side held an eight point lead and owed to the brilliance of Ruairi Donaghy.  Fetching the sliotar from the air, leaping like a salmon before somehow managing to beat Pearce Smyth.

The first half was largely played on Down’s terms.  They dictated the tempo for long periods and Antrim’s error count was creeping high.  The Down defence held Antrim to just 1-4 in the first half while a four point lead was the minimum their efforts deserved.

Antrim needed a fast start to the second half and had their second major six minutes after the restart.  Seaan Elliott with the break before his effort was saved superbly by Smyth, Niall O’Connor’s rebound was smothered clear before Donaghy pounced on the rebound.

Down responded with Pearse Og McCrickard, McGrattan and Barry Trainor all involved while Elliott’s frees kept Antrim in touch.

Four points separated the sides when Antrim got a slice of luck with their third goal.  Elliott with the break from midfield with his effort taking a massive deflection before going to the back of the net.  Points followed from Paul Boyle and Jack McCloskey to give Antrim a one point lead with 15 minutes of the tie remaining.  McCloskey firing over with his first touch while Boyle was having one of his best games in an Antrim shirt.

It was time for Down to respond again and a gargantuan free from Smyth, striking the sliotar over from inside his own 40 yard arc brought the home fans to life.

Antrim edged ahead five different times in the last 10 minutes of the 70 but each time Down pegged them back.  McNaughton’s effort in the third minute of the minimum five of additional time gave Antrim a slender lead but Down had the final say.  A brilliant pass from Caolan Taggart and Donal Hughes with the piece of individual genius that capped the day off for the Ardsmen.

Antrim survive avoid relegation despite the result with their status in Division 1B secured for the 2027 season while unfortunatel Down are relegated.  Attention will turn to the McDonagh Cup in the coming weeks when these two will face off once again in the opening weekend.  It couldn’t be set up any more perfect after this result.  Antrim will be disappointed with the end result and their overall performance, they have shown at different times this year they are capable of more.  If we are to go deep in the McDonagh Cup, it will take more than what was shown in the Marshes.

ANTRIM: Cormac McFadden; Stephen Rooney, Paddy Burke; Ryan McNulty, Joe Maskey, Gerard Walsh; Eoin O’Neill, Paul Boyle; Keelan Molloy, Conor Johnston, James McNaughton; Seaan Elliott, Conal Cunning, Ruairi Donaghy

Scorers: S Elliott 1-9 (7fs); R Donaghy 2-00; P Boyle 0-4; J McNaughton 0-2 (1f); P Burke 0-1; J Maskey 0-1; E O’Neill 0-1; K Molloy 0-1; Jack McCloskey 0-1

DOWN: Pearce Smyth; Tom Murray, Ruairi McCrickard, Ben Teggart; Barry Trainor, Caolan Taggart, Niall McFarland; Donal Hughes, Liam Savage; Finn Turpin, Pearse Og McCrickard, Tim Prenter; Tom McGrattan, Shea Pucci, Daithi Sands

Scorers: S Pucci 2-1; P Og McCrickard 0-5 (3fs); T McGrattan 0-4; P Smyth 0-4 (3fs, 1’65); D Hughes 1-00; D Sands 0-2; T Prenter 0-2; F Turpin 0-1; L Savage 0-1; B Trainor 0-1; Michael Dorrian 0-1

TO MORE PHOTOS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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Dunloy and Cushendall we’ll meet in the final of the McAuley Cup tomorrow in Armoy with a throw-in time of 2 pm.

In their respective semi-finals Cushendall qualified by beating Loughgiel two weeks ago, while Dunloy got the better of Ballycastle last weekend

With county commitments at both under 20 and senior level, both teams are short a lot of regulars, but it’s still a competitive game and with the league starting next weekend, both sides are keen to see what personnel are available, considering that they’ll be playing most of the league without their county stars.

Last weekend, Dunloy had a mixture of experienced and young players on show. In Ryan Elliott, Ryan McGarry, Aodhan McGarry, Nigel Elliott, Nicky McKeague and Paul Shiels, the Cuchullains have players with vast experience at both club and county level.

Cushendall are in a similar position with more than half their team involved with the Under 20 and senior county squads the team that beat Loughgiel still looks strong with old hands like Conor McAlister, Martin Burke and Sean McAfee providing the experience alongside the younger team member. Neill McManus did not start the last day against the Shamrocks but was introduced at half time and the Ruairis will be hoping he is available tomorrow.

Games between these two at both senior and senior reserve level are always competitive, and there is no reason why tomorrow won’t be very similar, so get yourself along to Armoy for 2:00 and support the Glen Rovers club.

Dunloy Starting line-up v Ballycastle in the semi-final

Cushendall Starting line up in their semi-final v Loughgiel