Teams
Down: M Reid; C Flanagan, B McArdle, A Doherty; D O’Hagan, N McParland, C Mooney; P Turley, N Donnelly; K McKernan, C Maginn, S Millar; D O’Hare, C Harrison, R Johnston
Antrim: C Kerr; P Healy, P Gallagher, N Delargy; K O Boyle, R Johnston, J Laverty; P McAleer, N McKeever; M Sweeney, C Murray, R McCann; R Murray, M Fitzpatrick, P McBride
Man of the moment
Connaire Harrison (Down)
THE Glasdrumman forward went at defenders like a warrior from Braveheart last summer and got his just rewards. He contributed two points in Down’s memorable win over Armagh before leading the Mournemen to victory over Monaghan with three superb points from play.
He landed 1-4 against the Farney county when the sides met again in the Qualifiers and Down will need him to hit form in this campaign.
Key Battle
Colm Flanagan (Down) v Ryan Murray (Antrim)
CASTLEWELLAN clubman Flanagan was the find of the League for Down and that form has earned him a deserved first taste of Championship action this evening. Quick and determined, he is a developing man-marker.
Meanwhile, Lamh Dhearg forward Murray could play out the field, but he is at his best close to the posts and was Antrim’s most consistent finisher throughout their Division Four campaign.
Antrim don’t have that many scoring options, so if Down can limit Murray’s impact, they should go on to win this game.
Team Talk
Down
APART from Kilcoo wing-back Darren O’Hanlon, Down manager Eamonn Burns has been able to field close to his first choice side for this evening’s game.
Marc Reid has been preferred to Shane Harrison in goal and the full-back line Colm Flanagan (who gets his Championship debut), Benny McArdle and Anthony Doherty played in all seven NFL games.
Half-backs Niall McParland (the skipper) and Caolan Mooney were also ever-present and the versatile Darren O’Hagan – likely to pick up Paddy McBride - comes in to replace O’Hanlon.
Niall Donnelly and Peter Turley are the first choice midfield pair while Kevin McKernan is named at 10 but will play as a sweeper with Conor Maginn, Shay Millar and ball-carrier Ryan Johnston operating in the half-forward line and Donal O’Hare and Connaire Harrison playing inside. Injury doubts Conor Poland and Aaron Morgan, both of whom featured during the League, are not in the squad.
Antrim
WELL organised and set-up, Antrim had the best defensive record in the country during their Division Four campaign. The Saffrons conceded just 67 points and only one goal and it was their home form – they drew with Wicklow and lost to Carlow – that ultimately cost Lenny Harbinson’s side promotion.
Given their excellent defensive record it’s not surprising that Harbinson had a settled back seven throughout the League with goalkeeper Chris Kerr and full-back line Peter Healy, Patrick Gallagher and Niall Delargy playing all six games.
Skipper Kevin O’Boyle, Mark Sweeney (named at 10 but likely to play a sweeping role) and James Laverty were also ever-present, as was Paddy McAleer who is partnered in midfield by Portglenone giant Niall McKeever.
Up front Ryan Murray, Matt Fitzpatrick (the creative hub at half-forward), Paddy McBride and Conor Murray are the principal score-getters with Ruairi McCann and Ricky Johnston likely to be assigned ball-winning roles in the middle third.
Tactical Take
Down
THE Mournemen are expected to set up with Niall McParland and Kevin McKernan as sweepers. McParland will protect the full-back line, with McKernan operating in front of him and using the space to utilise his range of passing.
The defensive cover the sweeper system gives them allows Down to give their wing-backs licence to get forward. They have searing pace on the flanks, particularly through Caolan Mooney who scored in every Division Two game.
Physically robust midfield pairing Peter Turley and Niall Donnelly will put in a shift, while hard-working Glenn clubman Shay Millar and Conor Maginn graft hard in the middle third. Ryan Johnston is a reliable ball carrier who needs to move the ball faster to bring inside forwards Connaire Harrison (the targetman) and Donal O’Hare into the game.
Antrim
FULL-BACK Paddy Gallagher is likely to track Down dangerman Harrison with Niall Delargy covering Donal O’Hare.
Elsewhere, manager Harbinson uses Kevin O’Boyle and James Laverty on the flanks with Peter Healy, Ruairi McCann and sweeper Mark Sweeney holding the centre ground.
In midfield Paddy McAleer is partnered by Niall McKeever and they will hold the aerial advantage over Down’s Turley and Donnelly.
Sigerson Cup winner Matt Fitzpatrick is the playmaker at half-forward and will have Paddy McBride for support and the Murray brothers, Ryan and Conor, playing inside.
Last 10 Championship battles
July 16, 2011: Down 3-13 Antrim 0-10
May 28, 2000: Down 1-7 Antrim 0-13
June 20, 1999: Down 1-15 Antrim 0-14
June 8, 1976: Down 0-14 Antrim 2-6
June 15, 1975: Down 3-12 Antrim 0-7
June 21, 1970: Down 1-6 Antrim 2-9
June 22, 1969: Down 0-8 Antrim 0-4
July 10, 1966: Down 0-9 Antrim 0-5
July 4, 1965: Down 0-10 Antrim 1-5
July 5, 1964: Down 2-8 Antrim 1-9
Weather Watch
Pairc Esler should be swathed in sunshine at throw-in with the temperature a balmy 20C.
Who’s the ref?
Derek O Mahoney (Tipperary)
ARDFINNAN club Tipperary took charge of the Armagh versus Kildare Qualifier at Croke Park last year and it turned out to be one of the most open games of football of the summer.
The Tipp whistler will allow the game to flow if he can, but he is no stranger to controversy. Attracted the ire of Cavan U21 manager Peter Reilly and several Breffni fans after an All-Ireland semi-final against Dublin in Portlaoise a couple of year ago and had to be escorted off the field.
Betting
Down 1/6 Draw 12/1 Antrim 9/2
Last Championship meeting
July 16, 2011: All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Qualifying round three: Antrim 0-10 Down 3-13
WITH Benny Coulter leading the way at Casement Park, Down raced into a 0-4 to no-score lead before Antrim posted their first point through the recalled Paddy Cunningham after 18 minutes.
Another Cunningham free and points from Kevin Niblock and Justin Crozier saw the home side get back into the game and it took a brave block from Down goalkeeper Brendan McVeigh to send Down in with a one-point lead at the break.
Benny Herron levelled for the Saffrons early in the second half before Tomas McCann edged them ahead. However, James McCartan’s Mournemen came roaring back into the game.
Marty Clarke levelled before Conor Laverty picked his way through the Antrim defence and found the back of the net.
Aidan Branagan added a point before Coulter set up Clarke for Down’s second goal. AFL-bound Caolan Mooney smashed home a third as Down progressed to a round four meeting with Cork.
