Antrim are Ulster hurling champions once again as they defeated Down in Casement Park on a scoreline of 2-22 to 1-18.
Antrim stormed out of the blocks with five points in the opening nine minutes before Down had time to settle but once the Mournemen got to grips with the situation they piled on the pressure.
Johnny McIntosh was on fire in midfield for Antrim and rifled over three excellent points between the seventh and 12th minutes to give the Saffrons a 0-6 to 0-1 lead.
Johnny Campbell and Karl McKeegan sent over two more frees but then Down stormed into the game with points by Gareth Johnston, Eoin Clarke and Martin Coulter to narrow the gap.
From there to the break – at which stage Antrim led by 0-14 to 0-09 – it was close and tight hurling but Antrim hit two late points by McKeegan and Paddy Richmond for a five point lead.
Antrim’s stick work and general play was superior to that of the Ards men but the losers did put in a spirited second half drive to get on terms.
However, the Antrim defence in which Johnny Campbell was outstanding held firm and when Gavin Bell took a Down effort off the goal-line 53rd minute the chance of a major comeback was lost by Down
Within a minute Antrim all but sealed victory when their captain Jim Connolly took a pass from Karl Stewart and shot to the Down net from close range to leave the score 2-20 to 0-16 with 15 minutes left.
That was the killer blow to Down even though they outscored Antrim by four points to two in the closing minutes.
Antrim: D Quinn; M Kettle, G Bell, C Hamill; G Cunningham, J Campbell (0-3, 0-1 a ‘65’, 0-1 a free), M McCambridge; P Richmond (0-2), M Scullion (0-1); K McKeegan (0-4, all frees), K Kelly, M Herron (0-1 free), J McIntosh (0-7), J Connolly (1-1), J Scullion (0-2).
Subs: K Stewart (1-1) for Kelly (34), C Herron for M Herron (48), B McFall for J Scullion (56), C McGuckin for Cunningham (65).
Down: Graham Clarke; L Clarke, S Murray, P Hughes; Gabriel Clarke, G Savage, S Wilson (0-1, a ’65’); G Adair (0-2), A Savage; B McGourty (0-1), P Monan, E Clarke (0-2); M Coulter (0-11, 0-10 frees), G Johnston (0-2), J McCusker (0-1).
Subs: C Coulter for Hughes (13), J Convery for Monan (39), E Trainor for McCusker (66).
Referee: B Gavin (Offaly)
