Scoring touch returns as Down on the up
The Mourne men used a secret weapon that’s been missing for most of the year — goals at the right time — to secure this victory.
Two rockets within two minutes midway through the second half and another 10 minutes later killed off this contest. No doubt any Cork patrons in the big crowd were impressed and will have brought back a few ideas for the Leeside defence to work on.
Maybe, as both managers emphasised after the final whistle, the closing scoreline didn’t do Antrim justice but, nevertheless, the winners were full value for their victory. They were much more impressive than in their previous championship games this season.
“Cork will certainly be another step up,” reflected Down team boss James McCartan.
“We have played Division 4 teams before Antrim and didn’t set the world alight. Antrim were Division 2 but Cork will be different. They beat us in last year’s All-Ireland final and then, convincingly, in the league.
“I’m sure their management were here this evening watching this game and they will be plotting how to beat us again.”
Down, with the wind at their tails, controlled the opening quarter and shot into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead over the first 15 minutes before Antrim found the target. The Saffrons were getting plenty of the ball but not making use of it until Paddy Cunningham tossed over a free-kick in the 18th minute.
Mark Poland answered that one before Justin Crozier, Cunningham (free) and Kevin Niblock narrowed the gap to 0-5 to 0-4. Then came a blow to Antrim when it seemed a goal was on.
Niblock sliced through the Down defence and, when in a one-to-one situation with Down keeper Brendan McVeigh, the Antrim winger seemed to be pulled back by an opponent as he was shooting. McVeigh brought off a flying save and the chance of a goal disappeared.
Poland and Brendan Herron, with a tremendous effort from the right wing, exchanged points before Down went in at the break 0-6 to 0-5 ahead.
“We were disappointed at being only one point up at that stages and we would have been certainly more disappointed if Antrim had scored the goal,” said manager McCartan.
A point by Herron and one by Gerard O’Boyle shot Antrim ahead by the eighth minute of the second half and three minutes later Marty Clarke levelled the argument from a 45.
Between the 49th and 51st minutes the Mourne men really wrapped up victory. First, after an Antrim player lost possession, Conor Laverty jigged his way through the Saffrons’ defence and shot home. Corner-back Aidan Brannigan rifled over a point and then Clarke exploded an angled rocket to the Antrim net.
It was now 2-8 to 0-7 and Antrim on their way out of the championship.
When teenage sub Caolán Mooney netted number three on 61 minutes the door was firmly slammed closed on the home side who managed only five second-half points.
McCartan admitted afterwards: “The scoreline is unfair to Antrim as they are a good team. I have worked with St Gall’s and I know what a lot of those players can do.
“We played a couple of Division 4 teams and didn’t set the world alight. Antrim were Division 2 and Cork will be a step up.
Our substitutions worked well so it makes for an interesting selection for next Saturday.”
Referring to the Niblock incident, Antrim boss Liam Bradley commented: “It was a penalty but the Down goalkeeper did bring off a great save.
“Down are good at scoring goals and the second one was a big blow to us. But that’s Down — they have done it to other teams over the years.”
Scorers for Down: M Clarke 1-4 (2fs, 45), M Poland 0-4 (4fs), C Laverty, C Mooney 1-0 each, B Coulter 0-2, A Brannigan, K McKernan, P McComiskey 0-1 each.
Scorers for Antrim: P Cunningham (2fs), K Niblock, B Herron 0-2 each, J Crozier, T McCann (45), G O’Boyle, D O’Hagan 0-1 each.
Subs for Down: C Mooney for Maginn (44), P McComiskey for Rooney (48), D Hughes for Doyle (52), P Fitzpatrick for King (63), A Carr for Coulter (64).
Subs for Antrim: M Dougan for O’Boyle (46), A Douglas for O’Neill (50), M McCann for Herron (52), D O’Hagan for Healy (57), K Brady for T McCann (63).
Referee: P Hughes (Armagh).
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