A superb Down team ripped apart Tyrone's hopes of retaining their All-Ireland minor football title as the Mourne lads swept to a convincing victory at Casement Park yesterday.

It was a superb show by the Down forward line who had an excellent leader in Brendan Coulter.

Coulter levelled the scores at two points each in the 10th minute and then cracked home a great goal seven minutes later that helped Down to a lead 1-5 to 0-4 at half-time.

Michael Walsh added another Down point on the resumption but a goal in the 41st minute by Patrick McGavigan gave Tyrone some hope. However, the score seemed to inspire Down who replied with five unanswered points.

Tyrone's day was summed up when Ciaran Carland's 54th minute penalty kick was turned out for "45".

Down: J Sloan; J Clarke, B Grant, C Murtagh; M Doran (0-1), L Doyle, B Kearney; L Sloan, M Walsh (0-2); D McGrady (0-1), B Coulter (1-2), R Murtagh (0-2); G Morgan (0-3), J Fegan, R Sexton (0-1).

Tyrone: P Ward; K McCaughey, M Anderson, P O'Farrell; G Quinn, F Donnelly, N Quinn; K Hughes, R Meenan; C Carland, E McGinley, E O'Hanlon; M McGarrity (0-5), E Mulligan, P McGavigan (1-1). Subs: P McKenna for F Donnelly (32 mins), P Donnelly for Hughes (47 mins), P Rouse for Meenan (54 mins).

Referee: A Higgins (Antrim).