Dubs send Antrim into dogfight with Down

A hat-trick of goals from Cathal Dowling helped power Kildare to win over Down in Ballycran.

Antrim's Seán Duffin tackles Brian Hayes of Dublin. Pic: ©INPHO/Leah Scholes

AHL Division 1B

Antrim face a crunch relegation decider with Down after Dublin cruised to a 1-31 to 1-16 victory in their Division 1B clash in Corrigan Park.

Donal Burke starred in the first half for the Dubs, striking almost half of their 20-point tally. It was a fairly feisty clash between the sides and Davy Fitzgerald’s side would have felt slightly hard done by with some questionable refereeing in the half.

Seáan Elliot maintained Antrim’s attacking threat with his impeccable ability to strike a free despite a ferocious wind. The Dunloy man tallied six and did well to keep Dublin within their grasp.

The travelling side made full advantage of the wind at their backs and some terrific scores from Burke. Fergal Whitely managed several scores of his own before late addition James Madden fired two points over from short range as Dublin continued their pursuit of a healthy lead.

Ten minutes before the half, Antrim had hope restored when Ruairi Donaghy managed to flick the sliotar beyond Seán Brennan and the roar from the stands bellowed Antrim into a flurry of scores.

Keelan Molloy pointed a brace and Elliot continued his flawless free-taking excellence with the hosts cutting the deficit to six points.

Cian O’Sullivan struck the final point of the half and Chris Crummey’s goal in the early second half stages ended any hopes of a comeback as the Dubs went from strength to strength and continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over in their favour.

Cian O’Sullivan came out sharp and struck a further three scores accompanied by Whitely who punished Antrim from sloppy play which halted their attack.

Antrim did rattle a few scores from James McNaughton and Seaan Elliot but it was too much of a gap to close as the wind seemed to evaporate in the second-half of the game.

Dublin continue to look a strong force in Division 1B as they maintain their pursuit of Clare at the summit, meanwhile Antrim know their match-up with Down is a winner takes all scenario in the relegation scrap. 

A hat-trick of goals from Cathal Dowling helped power Kildare to a 3-24 to 1-23 win over Down in Ballycran.

It was a statement win from Brian Dowling's side, especially considering they lost Jack Sheridan to a red card in the first half.

Tom McGrattan got Down's consolation goal late on.