Down simply had no answer against All-Ireland favourites Clare when the two sides met in today’s Allianz National Hurling League Division 1A opener in Ennis.
The home side put a massive 5-21 to Down’s 0-09 tally on the board with Andrew Quinn, Barry Nugent and Tony Carmody all scoring goals in the first half to ensure a 3-07 to 0-05 half-time lead.
After the break Nugent added a second goal while Diarmuid McMahon scored the fifth to round-off a thoroughly dominant and impressive performance.
Elsewhere in the top Division Waterford ran out narrow 1-13 to 0-14 against neighbours Wexford in Dungargan, while Offaly and Cork drew 1-21 to 2-18 in Birr.
The biggest upset of the day came in Division 1B when Antrim’s Brian McFall hit a late winning goal to beat All-finalist Galway 1-14 to 0-16 at Casement Park.
It was nip and tuck through the first half before Galway went into the break with a narrow 0-09 to 0-07 lead. In the latter stages the two sides were locked together 0-12 to 0-12 before Eugene Cloonan put Galway ahead. However, McFall’s late winner upset the form books in a great day all round for Gaelic in Antrim.
Antrim’s club side St Gall’s upstaged strong favourites Nemo Rangers 1-06 to 0-10 in Portlaoise to reach the All-Ireland Club football championship final. In today’s other semi-final Salthill Knocknacarra booked their place in the final by defeating Kilmacud Crokes 1-09 to 1-07 at Pearse Park.
Division 1A
Clare 5-21 0-09 Down
Offaly 1-21 2-18 Cork
Waterford 1-13 0-14 Wexford
Division 1B
Antrim 1-14 0-16 Galway
Kilkenny 1-26 1-13 Laois
Limerick 2-15 2-15 Tipperary
Division 2A
Derry 0-13 1-15 Dublin
Carlow 1-14 1-09 Roscommon
Wicklow 2-12 2-15 Meath
Division 2B
Mayo 2-14 1-08 Kildare
London 1-11 1-14 Kerry
Division 3A
Leitrim 1-09 0-12 Louth
Division 3B
Cavan 0-06 3-14 Longford
Fermanagh 2-18 3-12 Tyrone