Down's presence in tomorrow's final constitutes a remarkable achievement for a team that has hurled in Division Two for the past two years. Admittedly Antrim's season had been disrupted and the county's performance was as low on morale as many observers could remember. But for Down to win comfortably with 14 men was a fair display with veteran Noel Sands making a huge contribution.

Manager Jimmy O'Reilly has been putting his players through their paces at the crack of dawn and whatever about any other consideration the psychological pay-off came with a fiercely committed performance. This will be different though. Derry have gradually developed into the province's top team. Their breakthrough last year was on the cards and they have now survived two seasons in Division One. Derry's advantage lies most clearly in attack. Geoffrey McGonigle is in excellent form and the Biggs brothers were impressive even in the undemanding context of the London semi-final. Overall the quality of the champions should prove too much even for the spirited challengers.