Down hold off Antrim in scrappy and niggly contest

Down progressed to an Ulster Football semi-final meeting with Fermanagh or Armagh by overcoming Antrim 0-13 to 0-9 in a scrappy contest at Pairc Esler.

The game was niggly with players squaring up before the start and an Antrim backroom man sent off for a punch after the half-time whistle.

But despite that passion, it was not a contest that will linger in the memory.

After playing against the wind, Down led 0-6 to 0-3 and Antrim never got closer than three behind thereafter.

Daniel Guinness was one of the more impressive performers as he superbly set up up a Miceal Rooney point in the opening 35 minutes and then fisted two second-half scores.

The Saffrons were only three in arrears with 11 minutes of normal time left but Down hit the next three scores to put the game to behind despite a couple of late Antrim responses.

A lengthy period of added time was required after a late injury to Antrim full-back Eunan Walsh after he took an totally accidental knee to the head from a team-mate.

Antrim desperately chased the game in the closing minutes but the Mournemen were able to hold on after a display that will not have impressed manager Conor Laverty.

More to follow.

Down: J O'Hare; P Fegan, R McEvoy, C Doherty; M Rooney, P Laverty (capt), D Guinness; S Johnston, O Murdock; C McCrickard, L Kerr, R Johnston; B O'Hagan, P Havern, D Magill.

Subs: K Anderson, R Magill, F McElroy, J Guinness, J Flynn, S Annett, O Savage, R Mason, G McKibben, E Brown, J McGovern.

Antrim: M Byrne; R Boyle, E Walsh, K Keenan; D Lynch, J Finnegan, D McAleese (capt); C Hynds, M Jordan; C Hands, P McBride, E McCabe; R McQuillan, R McCann, D McEnhill.

Subs: L Mulholland, B Kelly, C McLarnon, C McGettigan, D McNicholl, E Hynds, J McDonnell, N Burns, P McAleer, P Shivers, L McLarnon.

Referee: B Cassidy (Derry)