Marc Reid: Didn’t have a save to make. Antrim conceded the kick-outs in the first half and Reid was accurate with his restarts in the second. Dealt comfortably with whatever came his way. 6
Colm Flanagan: Championship debutant Flanagan picked up lone Antrim forward Ryan Murray. Stuck to his task well before he was replaced by Ryan McAleeenan. 6
Benny McArdle: Started on Niall McKeever who was pushed up to full-forward. McKeever withdrew to midfield and McArdle followed him, scoring a first half point. 7
Anthony Doherty: Had his best game in the Down jersey. With no-one to mark in the first half, he pushed into midfield and helped the Mournemen to dominate. Took responsibility for long range frees and clipped over two beauties. 7
Darren O’Hagan: Operating on the left flank at wing-back, the Clonduff clubman is a tenacious, pacey defender who loves to get forward. Picked up Paddy McBride. 6
Niall McParland: The spare man in the Down defence. Reads the game well, swept up loose ball and protected the scoring zone when an Antrim runner tried to break through on goal. Led by example. 7
Caolan Mooney: He had Peter Healy for company but regularly gave him the slip. First half point but there were two wides as well. 6
Peter Turley: The main man in midfield. Had a holding role and put himself about physically. Tackled hard and produced a stunning one-handed catch in the first half. Never looked in trouble. 8
Niall Donnelly: Strong in the tackle and deceptively quick. The Tullylsih clubman got forward occasionally and put in a good shift alongside Turley in the Down engineroom. 7
Kevin McKernan: Passing was quality and he had already scored a point when he took Shay Millar’s pass and slotted the ball into the net. Could have another goal in the next move but fumbled the ball and was so disgusted with himself that he pulled down Niall Delargy and was black-carded. 6
Conor Maginn: Full of running throughout the game. Scored a point and was involved in several other scores. A tireless worker in the Down cause. 7
Shay Millar: See Star Man
Donal O’Hare: The Burren forward was full of unselfish running throughout the game and finished with seven points. Converted five frees and scored two fine points from play in the second half – one of which came off a goal chance. 8
Connaire Harrison: Not at his best but used his pace and strength to get out in front of marker Ricky Johnston. Point in the first half, two wides as well. 6
Ryan Millar: Championship debut for the Glenn clubman – one of three in the side – who played on the right flank with his brother Shay on the left. Picked up James Laverty who wasn’t able to get forward from wing-back. 6
Subs:
Sean Dornan: On for black-carded McKernan at half-time. Two fine points in the second half. 7
Jonny Flynn: Floored by Ricky Johnston who was red carded. Won a free for O’Hare. 6
Ryan McAleenan: Replaced Flanagan and kept the pressure on him with an energetic display at full-back. 6
David McKibbon: On for Mooney after 57 minutes and helped Down close the game out. 6
Niall Madine: Not on long enough to be rated.
Star Man
Shay Millar (Down)
The Glenn clubman scored points off both feet as he cut in from the left wing in the first half.
Always alert, he pounced on a wayward short kick-out to dispossess Matt Fitzpatrick and set up the first half goal for Kevin McKernan.
His energy levels never dipped on a muggy evening at Pairc Esler. Got his hands on a lot of ball and always used it well. A real player for Down. 8
