Summary

  • Result: Down beat Antrim 1-18 to 0-14

  • First Ulster SFC meeting between counties in 18 years

  • Down beaten by Tyrone in 2017 decider

  • Antrim last reached final in 2009

  • Down face Donegal or Derry in last four

Live Reporting

Cian Murtagh

  1. A free-taking corner back

    Down 1-10 Antrim 0-6

    Down restore their seven-point advantage as corner-back Anthony Doherty trots forward to attempt a long-range free that he converts off the ground

  2. Second half underway

    Down 1-9 Antrim 0-6

    What can Antrim do to change the course of this game?

    Substitute Colm Duffin helps his side to win a free and Paddy McBride points the deadball for his third score of the game.

  3. McKernan's momentous minute

    Down 1-9 Antrim 0-5

    Kevin McKernan's goal and subsequent black card all in the space of 60 seconds was the major talking point of that opening half. Will Down miss his presence in the second half or will his contribution of 1-1 be enough to see them over the line?

    Down goal scorer Kevin McKernanInpho

    Down goal scorer Kevin McKernan

  4. Antrim 'Down'..and possibly out

    Down 1-9 Antrim 0-5

    Enda McGinley
    Three-times All-Ireland winner

    The scoreline is maybe a bit harsh on Antrim but that feels like a game winning salvo from Down in the last five minutes or so of the first half. Antrim did some things right - they had a good system - but they have been severely punished for their mistakes and Down are controlling midfield.

  5. Saffrons in big trouble

    Down 1-9 Antrim 0-5

    John Haughey
    BBC Sport NI at Pairc Esler

    Despite Kevin McKernan's black card, Down look in total control at the interval.

    Antrim's problems have all stemmed from their kickout woes.

    To be fair to Saffrons keeper Chris Kerr, he has not been given many options by his team-mates but Antrim have given away 1-3 or 1-4 directly from misdirected kickouts.

  6. Kick-out contrast

    Down 1-9 Antrim 0-5

    Oisin McConville
    BBC Sport NI pundit

    Antrim have continued to give up the kick-outs and have no interest in contesting them. In contrast, Down are putting pressure on Chris Kerr in his kick-outs. Antrim aren't getting tackles in in vital areas and this game has virtually gone now from an Antrim point of view.

  7. Half time

    Down 1-9 Antrim 0-5

    McKernan's moment of rashness is the last talking point of the opening half.

    Down look to be in control but will be without one of their most influential forwards for the entire second half.

  8. Black card

    Down 1-9 Antrim 0-5

    McKernan's celebrations last less than a minute before he's shown a black card by referee Derek O'Mahony.

    The Down centre-forward lost the ball when another goal appeared on the cards and then reacted by dragging down Niall Delargy. Despite his protests, his match is over.

  9. McKernan makes it!!

    Down 1-9 Antrim 0-5

    Goal for Down. Shay Millar, who had just kicked a bad wide, punishes a sloppy kick out by Saffrons goalkeeper Chris Kerr and races towards the Antrim goal before a quick handpass to Kevin McKernan, who rolls his shot under Kerr and into the net.

  10. Counter attack pays off

    Down 0-9 Antrim 0-5

    Paddy McAleer pounces on a loose pass and Antrim pour forward in attack with Conor Murray laying off to Paddy McBride to score.

    Down respond with an excellent solo effort by Connaire Harrison.

  11. Antrim having kickout horrors

    Down 0-8 Antrim 0-4

    John Haughey
    BBC Sport NI at Pairc Esler

    Antrim are trying short kickouts here but the ploy is just not working as Down are pushing up. You wonder why Antrim aren't trying to hit six foot four Niall McKeever in midfield.

  12. 'Lacking championship atmosphere'

    Down 0-8 Antrim 0-4

    John Haughey
    BBC Sport NI at Pairc Esler

    Despite some superb scores from both sides, it's all a little quiet in here. Perhaps a few minds are in Kiev.

  13. O'Hare on target

    Down 0-8 Antrim 0-4

    Donal O'Hare is proving deadly from deadballs - curling over a super free from right out on the left touchline.

  14. Eyes on the ball

    Down 0-7 Antrim 0-4

    Conor Murray with a much-needed point for Antrim - again from distance.

    Antrim's Peter Turley and Patrick McBride of Down in action at Pairc EslerInpho

    Antrim's Peter Turley and Patrick McBride of Antrim contend for possession during the first half at Pairc Esler

  15. Chance of a goal?

    Down 0-7 Antrim 0-3

    Antrim are struggling to win possession from their own kick outs and Down are pushing forward into Saffrons territory.

    Kevin McKernan fists the ball over when he might have gone for goal.

    Shay Millar gets his second and Benny McArdle push the hosts into a four point lead.

  16. Point apiece

    Down 0-4 Antrim 0-3

    Antrim work their way up the field with Peter Healy involved in a sweeping attack that is eventually rewarded by a superb point by Ryan Murray.

    Down regain the lead straight away with another free by Donal O'Hare

  17. Down wing-backs driving forward

    Down 0-3 Antrim 0-2

    John Haughey
    BBC Sport NI at Pairc Esler

    Wing-backs Caolan Mooney and Darren O'Hagan are setting up most of Down's attacks at the moment. Three early wides for the home side but the Mournemen are playing with pace so far.

  18. Millar time

    Down 0-3 Antrim 0-2

    Down take the lead after their third point in quick succession.

    Kevin McKernan finds Shay Millar with a brilliant cross-field pass and Millar has the time and space to curl his shot over for the go-ahead point.

  19. Down win the curtain-raiser

    Ulster Under-20 Football Championship

    Earlier at Pairc Esler, Down beat Antrim 4-15 to 3-13 in the quarter-finals of the Ulster Under-20 Football Championship.

    Conor McCrickard scored two goals for Down, the others coming from Owen McCabe and Pierce Laverty.

  20. Down draw level

    Down 0-2 Antrim 0-2

    Connaire Harrison is fouled deep in the Antrim half and Donal O'Hare swings over his first free of the day.