Down 2-17 Antrim 2-16:DOWN edged a game that was level eight times at Casement Park yesterday to give themselves a Division Two lifeline.
Two goals by Neil McManu gave the Saffrons an early lead and by the 12th minute the home side were 2-2 to 0-4 ahead. However, a point by midfielder Kevin McGarry and a goal by corner forward James Coyle levelled the argument in the 18th minute.
Coyle first-timed a dropping ball to the Antrim net and from there the teams were level another six times, with never more than a point between them. Antrim, however, ran out of time, with Down claiming the derby clash.
ANTRIM: G McGhee; B McFall, C Donnelly, J McKeague; N McAuley (0-1), K McKeegan (0-1, free), C Herron; P Shiels (0-9, eight frees), E McCloskey; C McFall, N McManus (2-0, one goal from free), PJ O’Connell (0-3); C McAllister (0-1), K Stewart (0-1), S McCrory. Subs: D Hamill for McAllister (54).
DOWN: G Clarke; L Clarke, S Murray, S Ennis; P Hughes, R McGrattan (0-1, f), M Ennis; G Johnston (0-3, two frees), K McGarry (0-2); C O’Prey, C Woods (0-3), B Ennis; J Coyle (1-6, four points from frees), A Savage (0-2), S Clarke (1-0). Subs: D Flynn for O’Prey (55), S Conlon for McGarry (63), E Clarke for Ennis (63).
Referee: T Carroll (Offaly).
