Football

Antrim player ratings: McBride and McQuillan led the charge for Saffrons

Antrim's Patrick McBride in action with Down's  Micheal Rooney in Saturday night's Ulster Championship Game at Páirc Esler           
Picture:   Seamus Loughran
Antrim's Patrick McBride in action with Down's Micheal Rooney in Saturday night's Ulster Championship Game at Páirc Esler Picture: Seamus Loughran (seamus loughran)

Michael Byrne: All the O’Donovan Rossa man’s placed balls needed to go over for an upset. Missed two in the second half but didn’t do much else wrong. 6.5

Ronan Boyle: A solid defensive display. Tried to get forward at times before new personnel were needed to chase the game. 5.5

Eunan Walsh: A converted full-back this season, the Aghagallon man defended well when he had to – but Down never used their various target men. Suffered a head injury late on. 6

Kavan Keenan: One of the finds of the season for Antrim. Plays on the edge. Tough competitor and kept Liam Kerr quiet for the majority of the game. 6.5

Declan Lynch: The Lamh Dhearg man was always progressive in possession and defended well, especially in one instance when Odhran Murdock threatened to get beyond him. 6

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Joe Finnegan: Booked before throw-in, had a goal chance early on but Antrim needed more of his front-footed intent to threaten the scoreboard. 6

Dermot McAleese: Shook off a hamstring strain to start. Emptied the tank as always, missed a late chance and did try to get forward in the second half. 6

Cathal Hynds: Got on a heap of ball and retained it well. Might have been more ambitious with some of his plays but worked exceptionally hard. 6

Down's  Shealan Johnston  in action with  Antrim's Marc  Jordan in Saturday night's Ulster Championship game at Páirc Esler           Picture: Seamus Loughran
Down's Shealan Johnston in action with Antrim's Marc Jordan in Saturday night's Ulster Championship game at Páirc Esler Picture: Seamus Loughran (seamus loughran)

Marc Jordan: Had another cat-and-mouse with Ceilum Doherty in midfield. Had more grass in front of him than he did in Corrigan and was one player Antrim looked to in the attacking third. Grabbed a point. 7

Conor Hand: Hit a beauty of a score in the first half – not so accurate with three other attempts, but still had a go. Took a black card. 5.5

Patrick McBride: One of the few players who showed leadership by trying to take his man on in a bid to create something. 7

Eoghan McCabe: The St Gall’s man was a late change for Eoin Hynds and dropped into Antrim’s defensive blanket. Mixed bag in possession. 6

Ryan McQuillan: A very encouraging Championship debut. Assumed free-taking duties, converted two, hit a scorcher of a point in the first half and wasn’t afraid to test Ryan McEvoy. 6.5

Ruairi McCann: Antrim need more independent thinkers on the field like him. Pushed higher up the field due to his Aghagallon namesake being ruled out. Movement smart, good with the scant number of possessions he had. 6.5

Dominic McEnhill: The O’Donovan Rossa man was injured early on and never appeared for the second half. 5

Substitutes

Niall Burns: Never got on much ball. A year of learning for the young St Gall’s man. 5

Patrick McAleer: Unlucky not to start. Made a positive impact. 6.5

Eoin Hynds: Didn’t see much ball. 5

Pat Shivers: Should have been thrown into the mix earlier. Not on long enough to be rated.