THE ULSTER hurling form-book was torn to shreds at Casement Park, Belfast, yesterday. Outsiders Down handed a hurling lesson to hot. favourites, Antrim, to capture the Liam Harvey Cup for the third time in six years in a brilliant final.
It was a miserable afternoon for the holders, who were lifted only now and again by the expert free-taking of Jackie Carson, who scored 13 of their points, with 11 coming from frees.
Down, who had been less than convincing in their narrow semi-final victory over Derry, produced a scintillating display of first-time hurling matched by perfect teamwork to which Antrim had little response.
The Down display must rank as one of their best in the competition. At no stage did Antrim look like taking control. Each time they threatened danger the Mourne men just moved up a gear, slotted over another point or two that kept daylight between them and the defending champions.
Down owe their victory to a brilliant defence in which goalkeeper, Graham Clarke, pulled off two magnificent saves when Antrim threatened to take control.
He was fronted by a hard-tackling full-back line of Barry Mulligan, Stephen Murray and Barry Smith, while centre half back and captain, Martin Mallon, gave an exhibition of first-time tackling and excellent clearances.
It was this quartet who snuffed out the danger from Antrim's much- vaunted attack with only the accuracy from frees of Jackie Carson and some hard work from Conor McCambridge providing any threat to the Down defence.
Gary Savage and Paul Coulter at mid-field for Down held sway for most of the 70 minutes with Jim Connolly trying hard to give Ant rim some leeway in this sector.
The Down attack had the best player on the field in corner forward Noel Sands, who scored 1-9 of his side's total. It was his overall display as he roamed far outfield to set up chances that marked him as the man of the match.
He got great support from former All Star, Gerard McGrattan, and goal- scorer, Barry Coutter. The Antrim defence was most vulnerable with the full- back line in particular being unsteady under pressure and only Eoin Colgan and Gary O'Kane, matched the Down attack.
Antrim suffered a severe reverse after only 13 minutes when left half back, Paul Jennings, went off injured. However, his replacement, veteran Terence "Sambo" McNaughton emerged as Antrim's star player and was the only man to offer resistance to the Down attack.
Down had the best possible start with a goal after only 12 seconds from Noel Sands and this set up the team for a terrific display and took Antrim by complete surprise, never allowing them to settle into their usual rhythm.
Down led from the start and although Antrim came back with seven Jackie Carson pointed frees in the first half their tack of forward power was most notable with Conor McCambridge and Aidan Delargy being their only first- half scorers from play. Down struck for their second goal seven minutes before half-time and deservedly led by 2-8 to 0-9.
This five-point interval margin looked scarcely enough as Down turned to face a very slight breeze and when Jackie Carson sent over five frees to bring his side to within one point of the leaders (3-10 to 0-18) with 10 minutes left to play, it looked ominous for Down. However, two Noel Sands pointed frees eased their worries and at the finish they were worthy champions.
