Antrim make it 10 in a row

Ulster GAA Senior Hurling Championship Final
Antrim 2-20 Armagh 2-12

Antrim secured their 10th successive Ulster GAA Hurling Championship title with an eight-point win over Armagh at Casement Park on Sunday.

With most of their senior players held in reserve ahead of next weekend’s Phase III Qualifier against Limerick, the Saffrons met a stern test and needed an injury-time goal to finally shake off Armagh’s challenge.

The Saffrons were in control early on, as a ninth minute goal from Conor McCall and some accurate shooting from Joey Scullion helped them to a 1-9 to 0-5 lead by the 22nd minute.

Ryan Gaffney and Conor Corvan threatened for Armagh in attack and on the half hour mark the Orchard County had a goal, Paul McCormack finding Gorvan, who fired home to the net to cut the gap to 1-12 to 1-6 at the break.

Antrim were 1-18 to 1-11 ahead by the 57th minute mark when the game was thrown wide open, McCormack this time finishing after his initial free had been blocked on the line.

Antrim’s Ciaran Herron was sent off for a second yellow card offence, and with minutes left and four points between the sides, Armagh appeared on the verge of causing an upset.

However, Armagh’s hopes were dashed when Paddy Doherty scored a vital late goal for the Saffrons, smashing the ball off a post and scrambling the rebound over the line.

Video report from the Ulster Senior Hurling Final:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtk0EGee36g[/youtube]

The 4 goals shared between Antrim & Armagh in the Ulster Senior Hurling Final:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvDbJxI80sQ[/youtube]