IN the best Ulster Senior Hurling Final for years Antrim survived a stunning second half comeback by outsiders Down to clinch a thrilling victory by two points on a scoreline of 3-20 to 4-15, at a sunny Casement Park on Sunday.

During the first half the game appeared to be following the expected pattern as goals from Shane McNaughton and Joey Scullion helped the Saffrons to a 2-10 to 0-9 half-time lead.

However the favourites were rocked back on their heels early in the second half as Down hit back in style with goals from Paul Braniff (2), Stephen Clarke to take the lead for the first time.

Shane McNaughton scored a brilliant second goal to restore the Saffrons lead but Down were undaunted and regained the lead once again when Andy Savage drilled a low ball to the back of the Saffon net.

As the tension rose to fever pitch it looked like Down could end the Saffrons run as Ulster champions, but three late Antrim points from the Cushendall trio of Karl McKeegan, Neill McManus and Shane McNaughton saw them clinch their eight title on the trot.

After the high of the previous evening when Antrim footballers beat Cavan to reach their first Ulster final in 39 years, most people thought there would little interest in the hurling decider and when the game started in pedestrian fashion that looked like being the case.

However as the game progressed it was clear it mattered to the men that mattered, the Down and Antrim players, and as the knocks went hard and fast the tempo began to rise.

Down took an early lead with points from Paul Braniff and Simon Wilson gave Down an early two-point lead but a Joey Scullion solo run and shot forced a good save from Down goalkeeper Graham Clarke and Shane McNaughton whipped the rebound to the net.

Scullion finished the job himself soon afterward when he soloed in along the endline and somehow threaded the ball to the Down net from an impossible angle to put his team in chage.

Antrim goalkeeper Ryan McGarry made an outstanding save from Stephen Clarke soon afterward to deny Down a certain goal and as the Ards men began to flag a little Antim pushed on to open up a seven point gap by the half time whistle.

The second-half was only two minutes old whene Down served notice that they weren’t just there to make up the numbers and the comeback began when Paul Braniff blasted a twenty-metre free to the Antrim net.

Antrim replied with points from Karl Stewart and Paddy Richmond, but it was a brief respite for the Saffrons and Gareth ‘Magic’ Johnston made a great high catch before setting up Stephen Clarke for Down's second goal.

Down nudged ahead, before Shane McNaughton's goal restored Antrim’s lead with another excellent goal but again Down bounced back and Andy Savage riffled in goal number four after the Antrim defence were again found wanting.