GAA: NHL DIVISION TWO:  Antrim 5-8 Down 1-14THREE GOALS in the opening quarter set up Antrim for victory over Down in an entertaining battle at McKenna Park, Ballycran, yesterday. Neil McManus did most of the damage for Antrim, finishing with a personal tally of 3-5.

Down finished the game with 13 men following the dismissal of Eoin Clarke after 30 minutes for a red-card offence. Antrim’s Eddie McCloskey also received a red card in the same incident. Then three minutes from time Down full-back Fintan Conway also saw red.

The final quarter saw Down come back strongly, two points each by Conor O’Prey and Paul Braniff and a Braniff goal three minutes from time gave Down some hope but Antrim held out for victory.

ANTRIM: C O'Connell; A Graffin, K McGourty, K Molloy; N McAuley, M Herron, J McCouaig; S McCrory (0-2), S McNaughton; P Shiels, K Stewart (2-1), E McCloskey; C McGuinness, N McManus (3-5, 1-0 pen,0-4 frees), B McFall. Subs: K McKeegan for C McGuinness (h-t); J Black for S McNaughton (45 mins); C McFall for P Shiels (45 mins).

DOWN: K Keating; M Hughes, F Conway, S Ennis; C O'Prey (0-2), C Woods, M Ennis; A Savage, A Clarke; G Johnson (0-2, 0-1 free), S Clarke (0-2), B Ennis; A O'Prey, P Braniff (1-6, 0-4 frees), J Coyle (0-1). Subs: C Mageean for B Ennis (48 mins); S Nicholson (0-1) for A O'Prey (48 mins); D Hughes for S Clarke (66 mins).

Referee: J McGrath (Westmeath).