Ulster Senior Hurling Championship final: Antrim 1-15 Down 1-14
WHEN Donal Hughes fired over a tremendous point in the 69th minute, Sunday’s Ulster Senior Hurling final looked like it was going to finish with a novel story.
Hughes’ father Danny played on the Down side which lifted the Liam Harvey Cup in 1995. Twenty years later, it seemed like Danny’s son was going to equal his father’s achievement. Donal’s clean strike made the score 1-14 to 1-13. And as the clock ticked towards full-time, Antrim’s 13-year grip on the Ulster title appeared to be in grave jeopardy.
However, the Saffrons summoned a thrilling recovery. Following a horrific season in which one disaster followed another, many would have expected Kevin Ryan’s men to meekly accept their fate. But the reigning champions rose to the challenge.
First, substitute PJ O’Connell equalised with a class point from a very testing angle on the right wing. Then, centre half-back Conor McKinley applied the coup de grace. After receiving the ball from a ruck of players, McKinley was a model of composure as he coolly drilled over the winning score.
This close fought encounter, which served up such an absorbing finale, deserved a better attendance than 1,143. Nonetheless, the tiny crowd didn’t diminish Antrim’s satisfaction. Having endured relegation to Division 1B and demotion to the Christy Ring Cup, the Saffrons were clearly delighted to have finished the year on a high note.
Manager Kevin Ryan admitted he had no idea how his players would react when the game hung in the balance during the last quarter.
“After the year we have had, you would have been frightened,” Ryan said.
“With 15 minutes to go, you wouldn’t have known if the response was going to be there. It would have been easy enough to capitulate and say: ‘It’s been one of those years'. That was the pleasing thing about it. They didn’t do that. It was the younger fellas, with the likes of Conor Carson, who drove it on.”
Were it not for Carson’s superb display, there is no doubt Down would have lifted their first provincial title since 1997. In an Antrim side missing a raft of established players, Carson assumed the role of team general.
A strong, powerful presence, the Cushendall clubman won an ample quota of primary possession. Yet, it was the subtler aspects of Carson’s game: the clever passes, the neat flicks and the excellent control in confined spaces, which enabled him to make such a significant impact on this contest.
Paying tribute to the man-of-the-match, Ryan said: “It wasn’t just the last 20 minutes, it was the whole second half. He [Carson] was okay in the first half. He got a lot of ball for us. He absolutely took it to them from the first minute of the second half to the end.
“We talked about putting him into full-forward because he must have been drained. But you couldn’t. He was our ball winner out there. He was looking for it all over the place. He was an absolute leader there for us. I am delighted for him.”
Down will be bitterly disappointed. They were the superior force in the first half. After conceding a very sloppy goal in the third minute, they bossed proceedings. Four consecutive scores from Gareth Johnson (0-2, 0-1 free), Steven Dineen and Paul Sheehan quickly wiped out Antrim’s lead. Down’s controlled and measured passing from defence was in stark contrast to the aimless clearances which were repeatedly telegraphed towards Down’s sweeper Michael Hughes.
Hughes had a fantastic first half and he was part of a Down rearguard that easily nullified Antrim’s attack. The Saffrons had to rely on frees from the unerring Desy McClean. By half-time, Down led 1-9 to 1-6. Were it not for Antrim’s fortuitous goal, a six-point cushion would have been a fairer reflection on their dominance of the first half.
The second half was a much more evenly contested affair. Antrim upped their game. By matching Down’s intensity around midfield, they started to win a greater share of dirty ball. While Antrim’s endeavour increased, they failed to produce any fluid hurling. Instead, they were forced to grind their way back into contention. It was a long, slow process.
By the 60th minute, they still trailed by three points, but a penalty for a foul on Carson gave Antrim the perfect opportunity to level the game. When PJ O’Connell’s low drive was well saved by Stephen Keith, it produced the loudest cheer of the afternoon. Down’s fans must have sensed it was going to be their day. But the missed penalty seemed to galvanise Antrim. In the space of three minutes, points from Carson, Cormac Ross and James Connolly (free) made the score 1-13 apiece.
By the 69th minute, the destination of the provincial title was balanced on a knife-edge. Donal Hughes very nearly won it for Down. But O’Connell and Conor McKinley ensured that the Liam Harvey Cup will begin its 14th consecutive year of residence in the Glens.
Antrim: C O’Connell (capt); O McFadden, M Donnelly, R McCambridge (0-1); J Dillon, C McKinley (0-1), T McCann; N McAuley, M Dudley; PJ O’Connell, C McCann (1-1), E Campbell; D McClean (0-6 frees), C Carson (0-2), D McKernan (0-1); Subs: P Burke for Campbell (h-t); C Ross (0-1) for Donnelly (h-t); N McKenna (0-1) for McAuley (42); J Connolly (0-1 free) for McKernan (59); D Treanor for McClean (59); Yellow cards: C Carson (17), T McCann (27), C McCann (49), R McCambridge (52), D McKernan (57).
Down: S Keith; M Hughes, S Ennis, M McCullough; R Branagan, C O’Neill, D McManus; P Sheehan (0-1), F Conway; C Woods (0-1), J McCusker, S Dineen (0-1); J McManus, G Johnson (capt; 1-8, 1-0 pen, 0-7 frees), J Coyle; Subs: C Fitzsimmons (0-1) for Coyle (12), M Ennis (0-1) for McCusker (24); D Hughes (0-1) for Sheehan (h-t), S Nicholson for Conway (60), M Turley for Fitzsimmons (68); Yellow cards: G Johnson (55), C Woods (62).
Referee: D Hughes (Carlow).
Attendance: 1,143
