For the first time in 93 years, Antrim will not contest an Ulster Senior Hurling final after they were deservedly defeated by a dogged and determined Down at Casement Park.
The last occasion in which the Saffrons were absent from the Northern province's hurling decider was the 1908 final, when Derry beat Cavan. A year after the Oak Leafers reclaimed the crown by overcoming Antrim, they will defend their title against Down in an historic encounter.
The men from the Mourne County made their intentions clear from the outset and made light of the bizarre dismissal of Mick Braniff in the first half to outfight their opponents who were superior in numbers alone.
Braniff, making his second fleeting appearance as a blood substitute for Barry Coulter, was only on the pitch again for several seconds in the 21st minute when he clashed with Antrim midfielder Conor Cunning. Ballycran's Braniff pushed Cunning in the face, although he was wearing a helmet, and Kilkenny referee Pat Dunphy showed the red card, meaning that Braniff had to leave the pitch and the bleeding and battered Barry Coulter had to stay off.
It was a very poor game but winning was all that mattered to Down, who now aim to become the first Division 2 team to claim the Ulster crown.
The sending off served only to motivate Down, who went in at half-time 1-6 to 0-5 ahead thanks to a 15th minute goal from Martin Coulter Jr and some placed ball pointing by Tom Coulter and Paul Braniff.
Antrim's management made two first half changes to their full-back line but the problems were in attack, where they scored just one point from play through Johnny McIntosh, only Cushendall's Conor McCambridge keeping them in contention from frees and 65s.
However, the Saffrons seemed set to make the extra man count when they began the second half by turning their five-point deficit into a two-point lead. Captain Gregory O'Kane of Dunloy was influential in the turnaround, scoring the first point of the half then driving a penalty in low, although the award was harsh after a scramble where hurleys were swinging wildly from both sides.
Yet after taking that 1-9 to 1-7 lead, Antrim amazingly added just one more point in the remaining 23 minutes. Down, in contrast, showed tremendous character, inspired by four-time All-star nominee Noel Sands, the man of the match.
It was skipper Ger McGrattan who put Down back in front but the crucial score was their second goal in the 54th minute. Substitute Peter Mallon took advantage of confusion between debutant keeper D.D. Quinn and replacement defender Eamon Graham to flick the ball into the net.
Now Jimmy O'Reilly's men will meet holders Derry in the decider, their conquerors in the semi-final in the past three seasons. Antrim must watch from the sidelines and consider how they can begin to regain their pre-eminence in Ulster hurling.
Antrim: D Quinn; E O'Hara, C McAllister, Ciaran McCambridge (0-1); C Herron, K Kelly, M Kettle; C Cunning, A Delargy (0-1); P Graham, G O'Kane (1-1) (capt.), Conor McCambridge (0-4, two 65s, two frees); J McIntosh (0-1), J Connolly (0-1), A Elliott. Subs: E Graham for O'Hara, 16; J McCaffrey for McAllister, 33; C Hamill for Delargy, 54; B McFall (0-1) for McIntosh, 55.
Down: Graham Clarke; J Trainor, S Murray, S Wilson; T Coulter (0-3, two frees, one 65), G Savage, Gabriel Clarke; P Monan, G Adair (0-1); G Gordon, B Coulter, N Sands (0-4, one free); M Coulter Jr (1-0), G McGrattan (capt.) (0-1), P Braniff (0-4, three frees). Subs: J McGrattan for M Coulter Jr, 45; P Mallon (1-0) for Monan, 48.20 Blood substitute: M Braniff for B Coulter, 2-5 minutes and 21st minute.
Referee: Pat Dunphy (Kilkenny).
