Down win Minor Hurling Replay

July 16th, 2012

Electric Ireland Ulster GAA Minor Hurling Championship Final Replay:
Down 0-18 Antrim 1-12

A superb second half performance from Down saw them capture their first provincial title in 18 years at Casement Park on Saturday afternoon.

Wing forward Caolan Bailie produced a Man-of-the-Match performance for the Mourne men finishing up with a personal tally of 13 points, 11 which came from placed balls.

The Saffrons held a two point advantage by the time the half-time whistle sounded – 1-9 to 0-10. Christy McNaughton’s goal on seven minutes proved to be decisive.

However, after the resumption Down outscored the home side 0-8 to 0-2. Bailie fired them infront for the first time in the game 10 minutes into the second half, from that moment Fergus Cooper’s side never looked back as they went on to claim the Ulster title.

Antrim – P Nugent; D McMullan, T Ó Ciarán, R Diamond; M Connolly, J McGoldrick (0-3fs), P Burke; M Dudley (0-1), J McGreevy; C McNaughton (1-3, 1f), C Johnson (0-1), N McKenna (0-2); C Johnson, R McCambridge, G Lennon (0-2). Subs: E McFerran for Burke, A Orchin for McGreevy, E O Ciaran for Johnson.

Down – S Savage; C Costello, J McGrath, C Taggart; R Brannigan, G O’Neill, J McManus; C Egan (0-2), L McMullan; S O’Callaghan, C O’Neill, C Bailie (0-13, 11f); R Burns (0-1), M Nicholson, E Sands. Subs: S Mageen (0-2) for O’Callaghan, G Lynch for Burns.

Referee – Brendan Sweeney (Cavan).