Conor Laverty blasts ‘poor standard’ as Down see off Antrim challenge for Ulster semi-final place

The hosts never trailed against an Antrim team that was full of endeavour but ultimately didn't have the pop up front to make a real charge as Down managed to keep a bit of daylight between them to get the job done in solid, if unspectacular fashion.

It was far from a thriller with Antrim failing to use the wind to their advantage in there first half and then Down unable to put them away in the second, much to the disappointment of Mourne boss, Conor Laverty.

"People talked about the Derry and Dublin match (League final) but there won't have been too many neutrals impressed with the game," said Down manager, Conor Laverty.

"It was a poor standard and that's not acceptable for the talent in this team.

"Antrim set up with a deep block, defended narrow and we knew they would come with that so we put a lot of practice into dealing with that, but as a group and me as manager, we have to found better ways to deal with it.

"It was a derby match and we've already played Antrim numerous times over the past couple of years, so it was very cagey and difficult conditions, but we wouldn't be happy with that.

"But we are happy to be in the hat (semi-final) and that was our objective coming here today but we know the task in hand against Armagh or Fermanagh."

The teams wasted little time in getting to know one another as when Down broke from the parade, a flare-up ensued with Down's Odhran Murdock and Antrim's Jospeh Finnegan singled out for yellow cards, but this bit of heat quickly died and didn't translate into a riproaring affair on the pitch.

When the game began, it was the Mournemen who were quickly into stride as Ryan McEvoy slung over within 42 seconds and then Antrim would lose Conor Hand to a black cards with just over two gone.

A Pat Havern free extended the Down lead, but Antrim grew into it as Michael Byrne nailed a 45 and Ryan McQuillan curled over after Hand returned to the field.

Antrim had settled, but were not using the strong wind at their backs, opting not to go long as Down were letting them off the hook at the other end.

Eventually, the hosts found their range with the next three points through Miceal Rooney, Odhran Murdock and an Oisin Savage free.

Hand hit back, but the score of the first half came from Ryan Johnston as from a mark, he sliced beautifully with the outside of the boot to help his side into a 0-6 to 0-3 lead at the half.

They stretched the lead through Savage and Daniel Guinness early in the second period, but Antrim were hanging in as they hit back with two of their own and Marc Jordan replied to another from Guinness.

Liam Kerr and Eoghan McCabe then traded, but Antrim spurned some chances to get closer with a Savage free easing own nerves.

They pushed on with Shane Annett and Ceilum Doherty on target and although McQuillan and Ruairi McCann landed frees for Antrim, it was goals they needed but the door was shut as Down saw it out.

“We knew coming into the game we’d need to take the vast majority of the chances we were presented with. Unfortunately, we didn’t do that," said a rueful Antrim manager, Andy McEntee.

“We had one very good goal chance at the start and we’d a couple of half chances in the second half. Any one of those might have made a difference, but we just couldn’t close that gap.

“We got it down to three a couple of times and then it went back up to four and we missed a couple of frees in that stage as well. That’s life.”

Scorers — Down: O Savage 0-3 (2f, 1m), D Guinness 0-2, R McEvoy, O Murdock, M Rooney, L Kerr, C Doherty, S Annett, R Johnston (1m), P Havern (1f) 0-1 each. Antrim: R McQuillan 0-3 (2f), C Hand, M Jordan, E McCabe, M Byrne (1 ’45), P McBride (1f), R McCann (1f) 0-1 each.

Down: J O’Hare 8; P Fegan 7, R McEvoy 8, C Doherty 7; M Rooney 8, P Laverty 7, D Guinness 8; S Johnston 6, O Murdock 7; C McCrickard 6, L Kerr 7, R Johnston 7; B O’Hagan 6, P Havern 5, D Magill 6. Subs: O Savage 8 for P Havern (25), E Brown 7 for C McCrickard (48), S Annett 7 for B O’Hagan (53), R Magill 7 for S Johnston (62), R Mason 6 for D Magill (70+5)

Antrim: M Byrne 7; R Boyle 7, E Walsh 8, K Keenan 7; D Lynch 7, J Finnegan 7, D McAleese 7; C Hynds , M Jordan 6; C Hand 6, P McBride 7, E McCabe 6; R McQuillan 7, R McCann 6, D McEnhill 6. Subs: N Burns 6 for D McEnhill (HT), P McAleer 7 for R Boyle (53), E Hynds 6 for E Walsh (67), P Shivers 6 for R McQuillan (70+7).

Referee: B Cassidy (Derry)