Antrim 0-19
Down 1-12
By John Martin

Antrim’s under-21 hurlers saw off a dogged Down challenge at Casement Park last night to claim a place in next week’s Ulster final, pulling away in the final quarter for a four-point win.

The game was going to script for favourites Antrim for much of the opening half as a slicker Saffron forward line – from which Michael Armstrong slotted over three first half points – threatened to run away with last night’s semi-final.

However James Coyle started to make his presence felt in the Down half back line and a Paul Keith goal on 22 minutes brought the Down men to within a point. Down took the lead for the first time after the restart when Danny Toner and Woods raised flags but Antrim would score five of the next seven points to regain control.

Antrim, who chose to rest captain Cormac Donnelly ahead of Sunday’s All Ireland SHC quarter-final against Cork, led by a point at the break having held a four-point advantage on the 21^st minute.

The Saffrons opened the scoring through a Darren Hamill free but the sides were level for the first of four times when Woods stroked over a placed ball on eight minutes.

The home side played the better hurling in the opening stages and were value for their 0-8 to 0-4 lead when Hamill stroked over his third free of the evening on 21 minutes. Senior star PJ O’Connell and the solid James Campbell also added to the Antrim tally, but Woods signaled Down’s intent with a huge long range score on 17 minutes to make the score 0-6 to 0-4. Thomas McCann extended the lead for Antrim with Hamill making it a double scores game.

Then began the Down fight-back. Hugh Gilmore’s side clawed their way back into contention through a Keith goal after being put through by James Coyle, although the impressive Armstrong extended Antrim’s lead two minutes later.

A Woods ‘65’ and an excellent point from Keith leveled matters but a Hamill point gave Antrim a 0-10 to 1-6 lead at the break.

Down took the lead for the first time on 33 minutes through Woods but Antrim upped the pace with Hamill converting a ‘65’ while Conor Rocks probably should have taken the goal option when slotting over a minute later.

The Ardsmen also had their goal chances and Danny Toner forced a double save at the other end, before Michael Devlin slotted over the pick of Antrim’s second half scores. A Toner free kept Down in touch but with Hamill in fine form from placed balls and from play, Antrim saw out a deserved win.

Antrim: E Gillen; M Burke, S Shannon, L McAuley; C Carson, K Molloy, J Campbell (0-1); PJ O’Connell (0-1), G Laverty; M Devlin (0-2), T McCann (0-1), C Rocks (0-1); M Armstrong (0-4), D Hamill (0-9, 0-4f, 0-2 ‘65’), C Brogan

Subs: Terry McAlister for M Burke, M Lynch for G Laverty

Down: D Ennis; M Conlon, P Flynn, M Hughes; S Conlon, C Woods (0-4, 0-1, 0-1 ‘65’, 0-1 sideline), C Hughes; A O’Prey, M Magee; C Mageean (0-1), P Keith (1-2), P McAleenan; D Toner (0-4, 0-3f), J Coyle, A Clarke (0-1)

Subs: P O’Neill for A O’Prey
Referee: E Hasson (Derry)