Antrim cruise to Ulster hurling title

Antrim 2-24 Down 0-04

Antrim had little difficulty in claiming their sixth successive Ulster SHC crown today with a comprehensive Casement Park win over Down.

Down last beat the Saffrons in the championship in 2001 but never looked like repeating that feat in testing conditions this afternoon.

Heavy rain did little for the quality of hurling but Antrim were not deterred and led 1-13 to 0-2 at half-time. Paul Shields netted in the sixth-minute, while Kieran Courtney was Down's only first half scorer.

Brendan McGourty and Gareth Johnson added to Down's tally in the second half, but Antrim ended on a high, with Brian McFall hitting 1-2.