04 April 2010
What had been a bad season for Antrim hurlers got decidedly worse at Casement Park on Sunday when they were beaten by neighbours Down by 2-17 to 2-16 in Division 2 of the Alianz National Hurling League, a result which leaves them third from bottom of the table with just one game against Wexford left to play.
After a shaky start Antrim got on top when Neil McManus grabbed two goals in as many minutes, but the Saffrons were unable to maintain the pressure and Down hit back to lead by 1-12 to 2-8 at half-time.
The opening ten minutes of the second-half saw Down take complete control and with their midfield and half-forward line dominating they added a goal and three points without reply to open up a seven point lead.
To their credit Antrim did battle back well and with their best player Paul Shiels leading the line they pulled back to within a point with a great Karl McKeegan score, but Down held on for a deserved victory and their first win over the Saffrons since the league stages of the Christy Ring Cup back in 2006,
ANTRIM – Gareth McGee, Barry McFall, Cormac Donnelly, James McKeague, Neil McAuley, Karl McKeegan, Ciaran Herron, Paul Shiels, Eddie McCloskey, Com McFall, Neil McManus, PJ O’Connell, Conor McAlister, Karl Stewart, Simon McCrory.
Subs – Darren Hamill for McAlister
DOWN – Graham Clarke, Liam Clarke, Stephen Murray, Sean Ennis, Paddy Hughes, Ruairi McGrattan, Michael Ennis, Andy Savage, Kevin McGarry, Darren Flynn, Connor Woods, Brendan Ennis, James Coyle, Gareth Johnston, Eoin Clarke.
REFEREE – Tony Carroll (Offaly)
