- Written by John Hoey
- BBC Sport NI, Pairk Esler
Down defeated Antrim 0-13 to 0-9 in a hard-fought match at Pairc Esler to advance to the Ulster football semi-final against Fermanagh or Armagh.
The game was tense, with players scuffling before the start and an Antrim backroom player sent off for striking after the half-time whistle.
But despite the passion, it wasn't a memorable contest.
After playing against the wind, Down led 0-6 to 0-3 and Antrim were never closer than three points from then on.
Daniel Guinness was one of the most impressive performers, setting up Michiel Rooney's goal in the opening 35 minutes and scoring twice in the second half.
The Saffrons were only three behind with 11 minutes of regular time remaining, but a knock down allowed them to end the game.
Antrim full-back Eunan Walsh was injured late in the game after being kneed in the head by a team-mate in a purely accidental incident, necessitating extensive extra time.
Antrim pushed hard to equalize in the closing stages, but Moneman were able to hold on despite playing in a manner that did not impress manager Conor Laverty.
The Down manager has made three changes since his side's disappointing performance, which saw them lose to Westmeath in the Allianz Football League Division 3 final two weeks ago, replacing Finn McElroy, James Guinness and John McGovern with Cieran Johnston. , Conor McCrickard and Barry O'Hagan.
McGovern came on as a substitute in Newry City's loss to Dungannon Swifts in the Irish Premiership about 90 minutes ago, sitting on the down bench but did not see any action.
Antrim, who have battled hard to avoid relegation to Division 4, have been hampered by the absence of several experienced campaigners, including captain Peter Healy, Ryan Murray and Agagaron's Ruairi McCann. Unable to help him, he entered the battle at a huge disadvantage.
Tensions escalated before the start, with Down's Odran Murdoch and Antrim's Joseph Finnegan receiving yellow cards after a minor shoving involving several players.
Despite the poor weather, Down got off to a fast start, with full-back Ryan McEvoy running in front to score after just 43 seconds, and Pat Heaven scoring from a free three minutes later.
Despite half-forward Conor Hand being given a black card, Antrim were off the mark in the ninth minute, after the centre-half-back's shot was denied by John O'Hare with a smart save from Joseph Finnegan. , keeper Michael Byrne scored 45 points. He went into down defense.
In the 15th, Ryan McQuillan crossed the line with a nice tying goal from long range, but it was one of the few times they took advantage of the wind effectively, opting instead for a short pass and running game, with no downs. We were able to counter this with our defense numbers. and organization.
A deft pass from Guinness allowed Rooney to kick down again in the 18th minute, extending the advantage from 0-6 to 0-3 by the interval, with the second-quarter score highlighted by Ryan Johnston's superb right-wing out. It was done. – Boot effort from Mark despite strong winds.
After some friction as players and officials were removed from the field at half-time, Antrim strength and conditioning coach Brendan Murphy said it was clear Derry's piper had picked the wrong player. However, he was given a red card by referee Barry Cassidy.
Oisin Savage, who had been introduced early on in place of the injured Pat Haven, extended Down's lead by converting one of his three free shots after the restart.
Two goals from Guinness helped Down keep Antrim at arm's length, leading by four points in the second innings. The most promising moment for the Saffrons at that stage of the contest came when Ruairi McCann darted out but was tipped over at the edge of the square. Written by Liam Carr.
McQuillan ended up taking a free shot, but it was an acceptable result for the home side.
Goals from Mark Jordan and Eoghan McCabe meant they only had to kick the ball with just over 10 minutes remaining, but Savage and substitute/corner-back Salem Doherty faced a desperate effort from Antrim in the dying minutes. scored a goal and Downe closed out the match. A few minutes of additional time.
under: Joe O'Hare. P Fegan, R McEvoy (0-1), C Doherty (0-1). M Rooney (0-1), P Laverty (captain), D Guinness (0-2). S Johnston (0-1), O Murdoch. C. McCrickard, L. Kerr (0-1), R. Johnston (0-1). B O'Hagan, P Haven (0-1), D McGill.
sub: Haven 24 minutes at O Savage (0-3), McCrickard 47 minutes at E Brown, O'Hagan 52 minutes at S Annette (0-1), R Mason (McGill 74 minutes).
Antrim: M. Byrne (0-1); R. Boyle, E. Walsh, K. Keenan. D Lynch, J Finnegan, D McAleese (cat). C Hines, M Jordan (0-1) C Hands (0-1), P McBride (0-1), E McCabe (0-1). R McQuillan (0-3), R McCann (0-1), D McEnhill.
sub: N. Burns for McEnhill at half-time, P. McAleer for Boyle in the 52nd minute, E. Hynes for Walsh in the 66th minute, P. Shivers for McQuillan in the 76th minute.
Referee: B. Cassidy (Derry)
