Antrim and Down played out a very competitive and exciting Ulster MHC final at Casement Park, Belfast on Sunday, 27th of May with the home side pulling away in the closing minutes to record a narrow but deserved 2-14 to 3-8 success. The game was there for the taking in those closing minutes, until three late points from the impressive Darren Hamill ensured that the title stayed in Antrim for the sixth successive season. The opening half in this game was exciting from the off with very little between two determined sides. It was the homesters who held the edge and at the break they led by six points 2-7 to 1-4. Down came out for the second-half in determined fashion and two early goals in the opening seven minutes - one from a penalty - saw them level the scores - Antrim 2-8, Down 3-5. Antrim despite these setbacks never lost their composure and further points from Carson and O'Connell saw them back in the driving seat. Back came the Mourne side with points from Higgins and Coyle and the sides were level going into the closing minutes of the game. It was then that Darren Hamill stepped forward to swing the game in favour of the Antrim side with those three late points that gave them a three points win at the finish. Down almost drew level at the end when a great save from goalkeeper D. McNally denied Malachy Magee a goal that would have brough the game in to extra-time. Antrim held on for a deserved win, and can now look forward to the All-Ireland quarter-finals on 23rd of July. Antrim - D. McNally; S. Shannon, T. McCloskey, T. McAllister; B. Cousins, T. McCann, C. Rocks; P. J. O'Connell 0-3, P. Dallat; M. McCarthy 1-4, 0-2 frees, A. McCaffrey, C. Carson 0-2; L. McKillop, C. Donnelly 0-1, D. Hamilll 1-4. Subs - M. Devlin for McCarthy; C. Caldwell for Dallat; M. Burke for Rocks. Down - Declan Ennis; S. Conlon, A. Higgins 0-1, T. McManus; G. Courtney, C. Woods 1-1, 1-0 from penalty, 0-1 from a '65', P. Flynn; Donal Ennis, P. McAleenan; P. Keith 0-2, P. O'Neill, C. Gilmore; J. Coyle 1-2, 2 frees, N. Fowler, M. Magee. Subs - K. Maxwell 0-1 for Courtney; C. Conlon for McAleenan; A. Clarke 1-1 for Gilmore. Referee - M. Mulholland from Derry. Tweet

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