Ulster SHC Final/Antrim 1-15 Down 1-15: Some Antrim officials left Casement Park yesterday evening with a sour taste in their mouths after they claimed referee Michael Haverty from Galway robbed them of victory in the Guinness Ulster Senior Hurling Championship final.
The exciting decider finished all square at 1-15 each but the Antrim officials argued strongly over the awarding of a first-half penalty to Down and also over the non-awarding of a late point to the home side. Damien Quinn's shot from the right seemed to go over the bar but the ball was waved wide.
"We were definitely robbed," said one of the Antrim selectors. "It's a good job that the same referee cannot be appointed for the replay."
Still, most people, including many of the players, were pleased with the deadlock as the game produced some excellent passages of hurling and the closeness of the scores kept the excitement at fever pitch throughout. Both teams had their chances of snatching a win but, overall, a replay was welcomed by the majority.
Antrim opened smartly with three points before Portadown soccer player John Convery, making his championship debut, sent over Down's first point on 10 minutes.
Three minutes later Michael Herron rocketed the ball to the Down net to leave the home side, defending the title, ahead at 1-4 to 0-2. Young Gareth Johnson, known as 'Magic', kept Down in touch with three pointed frees but it was the Antrim attack that showed more flair during the first half.
Paddy Richmond was lively in the number 14 jersey and Darren Quinn caused Down problems on the right wing.
The Down penalty was awarded on the half-hour when Kieran Kelly and Gareth Johnson tussled in front of goals. Martin Coulter took the shot and smashed the sliothar to the net.
That goal levelled the match at 1-7 apiece but Brian McFall gave Antrim the half-time advantage with a well-taken point.
The second half was a cracker with end-to-end play throughout. Brendan McGourty levelled the action 45 seconds after the restart with a Down point and after Antrim had gone two points up again, midfielders Andy Savage and Ger Adair hit long range efforts in the 48th and 51st minutes to tie the teams once more.
Two more unanswered points inside two minutes put the Mournemen ahead for the first time but Brian McFall, from a '65', and Darren Quinn tied it all up for the fourth time with 12 minutes left.
It was level again on 64 minutes and for the sixth and last time on 69 minutes before that controversial late effort by Quinn that was waved wide to leave the final score at 1-15 to 1-15 and the teams to return to Casement Park, probably next weekend.
"That was the best Ulster final I have witnessed since I came north to Antrim," enthused the Saffrons' manager Dinny Cahill.
"I am not in a position to argue about either controversial issue and I'm not disappointed that we didn't win. Both teams could have snatched the match and both could have lost it."
ANTRIM: Damian Quinn; G Cunningham, K Kelly, B Herron; M McCambridge, K McKeegan (0-1, 0-1 free), J Campbell; C Herron, J Connolly; M Herron (1-1), C McGuckian (0-1), L Richmond; Darren Quinn (0-4), P Richmond (0-3), B McFall (0-5, 0-2 frees). Subs: L Watson for L Richmond (45 mins), M Kettle for G Cunningham (54), J McIntosh for J Connolly (65)
DOWN: Graham Clarke; L Clarke, S Murray, J H Hughes; S Wilson (0-1), G Savage (0-1), Gabriel Clarke; G Adair (0-1); A Savage (0-1); G McGrattan (0-1), J Convery (0-1), B McGourty (0-2), M Coulter (1-1, 1-0 pen); G Johnson (0-4, 0-2 frees), M Braniff. Subs: S Clarke (0-2, 0-2 frees) for M Braniff (21 mins), E Dorrian for J H Hughes (26), E Trainor for G McGrattan (60), E Clarke for G Johnson (64).
Referee: M Haverty (Galway).
