Football

Down v Antrim stats

Top score…

RYAN Murray was one of the few Antrim players to reach close to their potential. His 17th minute score was all down to his industry. Regained possession by shoving off a Down defender and fired over a brilliant score. The fact he had little meaningful support made this score all the more impressive.

Whistle watch…

Derek O’Mahony (Tipperary)

NOBODY mentioned the referee in the post-match discussion. Always a good sign. Not a difficult game to manage. Rightly sent off Ricky Johnston for a bout of indiscipline and Kevin McKernan’s black card was the correct call. Penalised players on both sides for over-carrying and double bounces. Good performance by the Tipp man.

Key battle...

Shay Millar (Down) v Patrick Gallagher (Antrim)

IT proved the right call to put Ricky Johnston on Connaire Harrison, which forced Antrim’s regular full-back Patrick Gallagher onto Shay Millar on the flank. Millar is fast becoming one of the best wing-forwards in Ulster and is so difficult to mark – as Gallagher found to his cost. The Glenn man might have hit two firs-half wides but he was involved in a number of scores and assisted for Down’s major. Millar did sufficient damage in the opening half to effectively put his side into the Ulster semi-finals.

Turning point…

GOALS in Championship matches are worth more just three points. They are momentum givers. Due to Down’s impressive full court press, Antrim ‘keeper Chris Kerr was caught between a rock and hard place with his kick-outs. The short kick-out he aimed towards Matthew Fitzpatrick was snaffled up by the alert Shay Millar and with the Antrim defence caught flat-footed Kevin McKernan nipped in to give the Mournemen an unassailable 1-9 to 0-5 lead just before the interval.