Senior hurlers face off against familiar foes Antrim in the 2016 Christy Ring Semi-Final

Friday 20th May 2016

On Saturday, May 21^st Down’s senior hurlers face off against familiar foes Antrim in the 2016 Christy Ring Semi-Final.

This is their first meeting since last year’s Ulster Championship Final, when Down came within a single point of Antrim, just falling short of denying the Glensmen their 14^th consecutive provincial title, and their 55^th in total.

In a thrilling finale, Down keeper Stephen Keith made a fine save from PJ O’Connell, but three points in a row from the saffrons evened up the scores. Conor McKinley then rose in the forward line to put Antrim ahead by one. A last gasp attempt from Michael Turley slipped agonisingly wide, and Down missed out on what would have been their time to lift the Liam Harvey Cup since 1999. It would have also served as a fitting finale to Gareth Johnston’s county career as this day in Owenbeg proved to be the last in red and black for ‘Magic’.

Saturday’s semi will see the winner installed as favourite to win the Christy Ring, with another set of near neighbours, Meath and Kildare facing off on Sunday in Newbridge.

In Down’s last league outing, the Allianz League 2B title escaped them by two points, as a committed performance from Armagh pushed them over the line on a  score of 1-15 to 0-20. Down’s only loss in league play was a home defeat to Mayo in March. They can look forward to Saturday’s fixture with a renewed confidence and little fear in the form their opponents have shown.

Antrim meanwhile struggled in Division 2A, with only two wins from five games, and were defeated by London by two points in Ruislip in their last competitive outing. They have also seen upheaval off the field when in April PJ O’Mullan resigned as manager. A week later a quartet of Antrim’s finest former players were announced as an interim management panel. Terence McNaughton, Dominic McKinley, Neal Peden and Gary O'Kane have stepped in for the rest of 2016.

In the first round of the Christy Ring, Antrim gave up their home advantage to allow supporters the chance to support both football and hurling squads on the day. There will be no such concession on Saturday, as the confines of Loughgiel will prove a difficult venue for the Down lads to bring home a win. The Stephen Keith-led side will hope to earn their first final berth in the competition since 2013, when Paul Braniff lifted the trophy for the first time in the county’s history.

Ciaran and Conor Johnston will be doing their best to put their father and Down manager Michael out of a good mood, as they play on the opposite side on Saturday. Divided loyalties in the Johnston house add another layer of intrigue to this fixture which could well decide the final destination of the Christy Ring Cup for 2016.

Saturday, May 21, 2016 15:30 (Extra Time if Necessary)

Christy Ring Semi-Final - Loughgiel , Antrim

Antrim v Down

15:30

Referee: David Hughes