John O'Dwyer brought a touch of Tipperary class to yesterday's thrilling Guinness Ulster Senior Hurling final at sunsplashed Casement Park as Derry snatched victory from Down in injury time. It was former Tipperary player O'Dwyer who sent over the winning point for a 1-17 to 3-10 win.

The decider may not have lived up to the standard of a Munster or Leinster final but it provided exciting action from start to finish. Backs and forwards battled with utter abandon with both sides taking some magnificent scores from long range frees and both goalkeepers clearing their lines in style on various occasions.

O'Dywer's winning point, in the 74th minute, was a case of combined bravery and confidence. He received a pinpoint pass from substitute Seamus Downey about 40 metres out on the left wing and never dallied for a moment but immediately drove the sliothar high and true for the clinching score.

Down tore into action right from the start with half back Tom Coulter firing over three long range points from free points to give the challengers a 0-3 to 0-1 lead - Geoffrey McGonagle having opened the scoring after 45 seconds - in the seventh minute.

Although Derry were back on terms - thanks to McGonagle - by the 12th minute, Down continued to dominate, with the smaller Derry defence having difficulty in dealing with the rapid running Down forwards' counterparts. The long-range delivery into the backline troubled Derry and in after 16 minutes the Mournemen snatched their first goal.

Martin Coulter ran up the right and passed inside to Brendan Coulter, whose low drive from close-in was parried by goalkeeper Kieran Stevenson but the ball still sneaked in to leave Down 1-4 to 0-4 ahead.

Only four minutes later Derry were back on terms as McGonagle, who gave a 'Man-of-the-Match' performance, fielded a centre by Kieran McKeever, turned and lashed the sliothar home.

Almost immediately Gerald McGrattan gave Down the lead again and two minutes later Noel Sands blasted in Down's second goal. That gave the Mournmen a huge lift and when Sands hit another goal in the 27th minute it looked like Down's day.

However, by half-time Derry had eased the situation and trailed by 3-7 to 1-8. with They had what seemed legitimate claims for a penalty by McGonagle waved away by Carlow referee Pat Aherne in the 37th minute.

Derry introduced Seamus Downey for his first senior county hurling match in 11 years for the second half. He played on the 40-metre line and his strength and experience was played a major part in Derry's win.

] Down were confined to just three second half points as Derry chipped away at the lead with long range points.

Oliver Collins, who had to go off twice for "blood treatment", Greg Biggs, McGonagle and O'Dwyer all pointed with O'Dwyer's score on the hour levelling the argument at 1-16 to 3-8.

Midfielder Gerard Adair sent Down ahead again but before McGonagle pointed a '45. Paul Braniff grabbed a Down point and Greg Biggs levelled once more right on the 70 minute-mark. A replay beckoned but the Derry determination and spirit was typified by O'Dwyer's winner got the winning point four minutes into injury time.

A marvellous win for Derry but Down also contributed handsomely to what was a superb game.