Down vs Antrim: Player ratings from Saturday's Ulster SFC quarter-final clash

Down’s Pierce Laverty and Shealan Johnston tackle Antrim's Dermot McAleese during Saturday's Ulster SFC quarter-final at Páirc Esler
Down’s Pierce Laverty and Shealan Johnston tackle Antrim's Dermot McAleese during Saturday's Ulster SFC quarter-final at Páirc Esler -Credit:©INPHO/Leah Scholes


Down ratings

John O’Hare: The only real goal chance of the game fell to Antrim’s Joe Finnegan and John O’Hare was equal to the shot and his kickouts were excellent. 7.5

Peter Fegan: Picked up Antrim’s Dominic Enhill in the first half and the Rossa attacker didn’t see much possession before going off injured. Did a decent job on Ryan McQuillan in the second. 7.5

Ryan McEvoy: Landed Down’s opening point, but had his hands full with the lively McQuillan in the first half. Sat back as a sweeper in the second and was solid. 6.5

Read more: Recap as Down grind out hard-fought four-point win over Antrim

Ceilum Doherty: Tasked with picking up Marc Jordan after doing a fine job on the Antrim star in the League meeting. Jordan landed one point from play, but so too did Doherty. 7

Miceal Rooney: Kicked one wide in the second half, but was otherwise excellent. One of Down’s best performers. 8

Pierce Laverty: Picked up Ruairi McCann and, apart from winning a couple of late frees, the Creggan clubman wasn’t much of a threat and Laverty can be pleased with his performance. 7

Daniel Guinness - Star Man: Down’s six starting defenders all played well, but Daniel Guinness was the best player on the pitch. Scored two fisted points and set up Miceal Rooney for his point in the first half. 8.5

Down's Daniel Guinness
Down's Daniel Guinness -Credit:©INPHO/Tom Maher

Conor McCrickard: Had spells at midfield and at full-forward. However, despite one brilliant flick in the first half, McCrickard didn’t have much on an impact and was replaced early in the second half. 5.5

Odhran Murdock: Ran straight into Antrim goalkeeper Mick Byrne as the teams broke from the pre-match parade and was booked. Scored one point and was involved in two more. 7

Shealan Johnston: The Kilcoo ace was thrown in from the start on Saturday and was lively in the first half without troubling the scoreboard. 6

Liam Kerr: A rare off day for Kerr. Scored one point from play, but also conceded a late free for a foul on Ruairi McCann and was blown up for over-carrying in the second half as well. 5.5

Ryan Johnston : Judged the wind superbly well when converting a mark in the first half. Kicked one poor wide in the second and wasn’t as involved after the break. 6.5

Barry O’Hagan : In for his first start since suffering a cruciate injury against Antrim in last season's League game. Worked hard and will improve for the run out. 6.

Pat Havern: Scored and early free into a strong wind, but was called ashore early by Conor Laverty after one too many wayward passes. 5

Danny Magill: One of Down’s best ball-carriers, Danny Magill wasn’t at his brilliant best against a determined Antrim side. 5.5

Subs

Oisin Savage: Named to start and got his chance when brought in for Havern after just 23 minutes. Scored two frees and a mark. 7

Eamon Brown: A decent cameo from the Clonduff clubman and looked lively when replacing McCrickard. 6.5

Shane Annett: Introduced for O’Hagan for the final quarter and landed a point from play. 6

Ryan Magill: Made a fine late tackle on Paddy McBride and the Ulster University captain will be hoping for more game-time as Down’s Championship progresses. 6.

Rory Mason: Not on long enough to be rated.

Antrim ratings

Michael Byrne: Kickouts in the second half into the wind were outstanding. Scored one 45 but missed three other scoring chances. 6.5

Ronan Boyle: The St Brigid’s clubman had a decent game. Picked up Barry O’Hagan and kept him scoreless. 6.5

Eunan Walsh: The Aghagallon clubman has grabbed his opportunity at full-back and has been one of Antrim’s best players this season. Another fine game before picking up a knock to the head when making a block on Liam Kerr late on. 7

Kavan Keenan: Picked up one booking and was slightly lucky to avoid a second when making a rash, high challenge on Ryan Johnston. However, he was otherwise excellent on Liam Kerr. 6.5

Declan Lynch: Provided the leadership and experience when needed in the second half and made sure that Down didn’t get a sniff of goal. 7.

Joe Finnegan: Denied a goal chance in the first half and had another shot blocked down. Did his defensive duties well. 6.5

Dermot McAleese: Picked up Pat Havern in the early stages before moving on to Ryan Johnston an was excellent on both players. A fine effort from the Antrim vice-captain. 7.5

Cathal Hynds: The Glenravel clubman is enjoying a fine debut season for the Saffrons and he put in a decent shift at midfield. 6.5

Marc Jordan: Named at midfield, but the Lámh Dhearg clubman was everywhere on Saturday. Was second best to Ceilum Doherty in the League, but broke even with the Down defender this time and scored a point. 7

Conor Hand: Daft challenge in front of the referee earned him a black card. Redeemed himself with a stunning point from play. 6.5

Paddy McBride: Struggled to get any change from Peter Fegan, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort. More involved after the break and scored a stunning free into the wind. 6.5

Eoghan McCabe: Drafted in from the start to give extra cover to the Antrim defence and put in a good showing and landed a late point. 6.5

Ryan McQuillan: A Championship debut to remember. The Glenravel clubman has been one of the finds of the season for Andy McEntee and scored 0-3 which included a brilliant point from play. 7.5

Antrim's Ryan McQuillan tackles Down goalkeeper John O'Hare
Antrim's Ryan McQuillan tackles Down goalkeeper John O'Hare -Credit: ©INPHO/Leah Scholes

Ruairi McCann: In the absence of his namesake from Aghagallon, Antrim needed the Creggan clubman at his best on Saturday. It just didn’t click for McCann until he won a couple of late frees. 6

Dominic McEnhill: Down felt he was wasting time during Conor Hand’s black card, but he was clearly injured and was unable to continue for the second half. 5.5.

Subs

Niall Burns: Introduced for McEnhill for the second half and the St Gall’s clubman put himself about plenty, but didn’t register a score. 5.5.

Paddy McAleer: Took one brilliant mark at midfield and is likely to see more action in the forthcoming Tailteann Cup. 5.5

Eoin Hynds: Brought on for the closing minutes for Eunan Walsh, but didn't make an impact as Down closed the game out. 5

Pat Shivers: Not on long enough to be rated.

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