Allianz HL D1B: Down win thriller

Allianz Hurling League Division 1B

Down 3-22 Antrim 3-20

By Maghnus Dunne at Páirc Esler

A last-gasp Donal Hughes strike saw Antrim defeated in Newry as relegated Down clinched the derby spoils at the death in Páirc Esler.

Shea Pucci's starring first half performance and early goals gave Down a real lift despite early efforts for Seán Elliot and Paul Boyle when both found their scores from range for the Saffrons.

Antrim lived to rue their early missed chances with multiple costly wides inside the opening 10 minutes of play. When Shea Pucci fired home an early goal from close range, Down were given a significant boost.

Down raced into a strong lead and Pucci proved to be a thorn in the side for Antrim early on when he struck a second major to really give his side a fighting chance in the tie.

Antrim drove themselves back into contention with a Ruairi Donaghy goal after the forward found the net with a terrific strike and couple with two Seán Elliot frees Antrim were within three as the half drew near a close.

Both sides managed to exchange scores and Down shot-stopper Pearse Smyth got himself in on the scoring act with a splendid pair of long-ranged efforts from a dead-ball with his 65 separating them by five in the final minutes of the half.

Tom McGrattan and Elliot both struck points for their respective sides with Elliot tallying his fifth free of the half as the game remained with a five-point advantage to Down.

Antrim got out of the blocks early after the restart as James McNaughton took his chance from a short-free well and Paul Boyle was well poised to strike from play and cut the deficit to within a goal for the Saffrons.

Down got off the mark once again from a Pearse Óg McCrickard free, but a second goal for Ruairi Donaghy saw the hosts lead reduced to the minimum.

Barry Trainor and Tim Prenter both struck much-needed scores to help their side regain a five-point advantage.

But when Seán Elliot single-handedly dragged Antrim back into the game with scores and a terrific goal, Antrim looked to take advantage of the momentum swing when Paul Boyle levelled.

Elliot's free was matched by Michael Dorrian's point from play, but the Saffrons responded, taking the lead through James McNaughton.

A last-gasp flick from Donal Hughes from the final free of the game saw the derby spoils snatched from Antrim at the death.

Scorers for Down: Shea Pucci 2-1, Pearse Óg McCrickard 0-5 (4fs), Pearse Smyth 0-4 (4fs), Tom McGrattan 0-4, Donal Hughes 1-0, Tim Prenter 0-3, Finn Turpin 0-1, Liam Savage 0-1, Barry Trainor 0-1, Daithi Sands 0-1, Mark Dorrian 0-1.

Scorers for Antrim: Seán Elliot 1-8 (7fs), Ruairi Donaghy 2-0, Paul Boyle 0-5, James McNaughton 0-2 (1f), Keelan Molloy 0-1, Eoin O'Neill 0-1, Paddy Burke 0-1, Jack McCloskey 0-1, Conal Cunning 0-1.

Down: Pearse Smyth; Tom Murray, Ruairí McCrickard, Ben Teggart; Barry Trainor, Caolan Taggart, Niall McFarland; Donal Hughes, Liam Savage; Finn Turpin, Pearse Óg McCrickard, Tim Prenter; Tom McGrattan, Shea Pucci, Daithi Sands.

Subs: Pearse Óg McCrickard off for Cathal Coleman (51'), Ben Taggart off for Ronan Smyth (54').

Antrim: Cormac McFadden; Stephen Rooney, Niall O'Connor, Paddy Burke; Ryan McNulty, Joe Maskey, Gerard Walsh; Eoin O'Neill, Paul Boyle; Keelan Molloy, Conor Johnston, James McNaughton; Seán Elliot, Conal Cunning, Ruairi Donaghy.

Subs: Gerard Walsh off for Scott Walsh (51'), Keelan Molloy off for Jack McCloskey 0-1 (53'), Eoin McFerran on for Stephen Rooney (66'), Conal Bohill on for Eoin O'Neill (66').

Referee: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary).