Down rally is not sufficient

Down rally is not sufficient

27 July 2016

DOWN’S U-21 hurlers put up stiff resistance against their Antrim counterparts in last Wednesday’s Bord Gais Ulster U-21 Championship semi-final in Ballycran.

Down gave everything, but were unable to prevent the Saffrons progressing to the final where they will be seeking their eighth Ulster title in a row.

Down’s top marksman was Pearse McCrickard, who banged over nine points – seven of them from frees.

Antrim were in charge for most of the encounter, although Down gave themselves a chance of causing a shock when they staged a rally midway through the second half and got to within three points.

The visitors had the advantage of the strong wind in the first half and led by 1-14 to 0-10 at the break. They were quickly out of the blocks and took an early lead with points from James O’Connell and Alec Delargy inside the opening five minutes.

Down had a chance to go in front when Daithi Sands collected a long ball from McCrickard and was fouled in the square, resulting in a penalty. McCrickard stepped up and tapped the ball over the bar, instead of going for goal, to reduce the deficit to a point.

Scores then rattled over at either end, with Gerard Hughes, Mark Fisher, Brook Byers and McCrickard all on target for Down.

With six minutes to go until half time, the deficit had been reduced to two points and Down were well in contention.

However, Antrim dominated the remainder of the half and scored 1-3 to Down’s 0-1 to hold a comfortable lead at the interval.

A McCrickard free opened the second half scoring, but a second Antrim goal had the visitors ahead by 2-14 to 0-11.

However, Down weren’t for giving up. 

McCrickard sent over three frees before Ryan McCusker found the back of the net with a long range effort which deceived Antrim keeper Ryan Elliott.

Moments before the goal Down custodian Jamie Crowe made a superb save to keep out a low drive by TT Butler.

Any hopes of a comeback were dashed as Antrim closed out the match with five late points. However, scores from Caolan Taggart and Barry Trainor ensured that Down could hold their head high at the finish.

Antrim’s main danger man was Saul McCaughan, who finished the match with a goal and eight points — seven of them from placed balls.

Down: J Crowe; D Mallon, C Taggart (0-1), M Fisher (0-1, free); R Campbell, B Trainor (0-1), L Savage; J Doran, P McCrickard (0-9, 0-7 frees); B Byers (0-1), R McCusker (1-1), O McManus (0-1); G Hughes (0-1), D Sands, C Fitzsimons (0-2). Subs: C Coulter (38), N Breen (44).

Antrim: R Elliott; D McMullan, T Burns, R Diamond; G Walsh (0-1, free), P Burke, C McMullan; C Ross, A Delargy (0-1); M Connolly (0-2), D Nugent (1-2), J O’Connell (0-4); S McCaughan (1-8, 0-7 frees), R Delargy, TT Butler (0-2). Subs: R McKee (0-1), E McManus (46), J Maskey (52), C McNaughton (59).