Down flattered to deceive in trying to consolidate their impressive form of last week against Tipp when they went down tamely to Ulster rivals Antrim in a disappointing NHL Division 1B match at Portaferry.

The Mournemen never managed to recapture the vim and vigour they showed in their opening league tie and, instead, played second fiddle for three-quarters of the game to the Glensmen.

In a frenetic opening to the match, goal chances were created with gay abandon with Gareth Johnston and Brendan Quinn both missing out on gilt-edged opportunities.

The sides were level at 0-3 apiece by the 13th minute when Mickey Herron bagged Antrim’s opening goal one minute later to put Down on the backfoot.

Thereafter a red card for the erstwhile impressive McGuckian didn’t augur well for the quality of the tie but, thankfully, tempers cooled.
As things panned out, Antrim went into overdrive in the final ten minutes of the first half with the would-be winners firing over five points without reply to leap into the driving seat.

Leading by 1-9 to 0-5 on the restart, Antrim went about their task of sealing the points in a professional manner.

A second goal after 23 minutes by Darren Quinn took the wind completely out of Down’s sail and their tale of woe was completed when Johnny McIntosh banged in Antrim’s third goal with just seconds to go.