Antrim regain title as Down surrender

Antrim regain title as Down surrender

10 July 2013

DOWN were unable to reproduce the sort of form that saw them wrestle the Ulster MHC crown away from Antrim this time last year as the Saffrons gained suitable revenge at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh on Sunday.

Despite having a man sent off in the first minute, Antrim cruised to victory with an imperious display of controlled hurling.

Midfielder Ryan McCambridge was shown a straight red card by referee James Clarke for striking with the hurl, but the Saffrons made light of the setback to finish with 11 points to spare over their deadly rivals.

Full forward Jude McCurdy netted twice in the 22nd and 25th minutes and Antrim led by 2-11 to 1-6 at the break. Conal Fitzsimmons raised Downs’ green flag in the 24th minute.

The second half followed a similar pattern and scores from Conor Johnson and Saul McCaughan extended their lead. Down’s woes were compounded when Conor Costello was issued with his marching orders in the last quarter.

“The better team won, admitted Michael McCullough, a Down selector.

“I think it is a case of the Down boys going back now and working over the winter because there are 11 of them back as minors next year.”

Antrim manager Niall Kearney was full of praise for his charges and heaped praise upon his players for their character after going a man down so early and said there was extra motivation after losing out in last year’s final.

“We have a talented bunch of players there who want to win and give their all for the Antrim jerseys,” he said.

“Those boys fought tooth and nail for Antrim today and I’m proud of them.

“There was a real will-to-win there, especially after what happened last year.”

Final score: Antrim 2-20 Down 1-12.

Antrim: C. Heyden, R. Diamond, R. O’Kane, A. Orchin, D. O’Hara, P. Burke, M. Connolly, R. McCambridge, A. Delargy (0-3), C. McAllister (0-2), D. Nugent, E. McFerran, C. Johnston (0-9), J. McCurdy (2q-2), S. McCaughan (0-4). Subs: G. Walsh for Diamond, J. Duffin for O’Hara, C. McConnell for McCaughan, C. McNaughton for McCurdy, R. McNulty for Burke.

Down: S. Savage, B. Byers, C. Taggart, J. Doran, R. Campbell (0-2), P. J. McComiskey, P. J. Davidson (0-1), C. Egan (0-1), J. Murphy (0-1), R. Courtney, C. Costello, L. Savage, C. Fitzsimons (1-1), E. Sands, P. Og McCrickard (0-6).

Subs: R. McCusker (0-1) for Courtney, C. Fay for McComiskey, M. Patterson for Savage, D. Gilland for Doran, M. Fisher for Campbell.