Antrim storm to a historic victory

Antrim: S McQuillan 0-7 (five frees), K Doyle 0-3, J Quinn 0-1, P McCann 0-1, C Colman 0-1.

Down: G McCartan 1-1, S Mulholland 0-1, L Doyle 0-1, M Linden 0-1, C McCabe 0-1, S Ward 0-1, J McCartan 0-1.

Referee: S McCormack (Meath).

Booked: Antrim - none; Down - Caulfield, Higgins, Poland, McCabe, G McCartan.

Sent Off - none.

Under the rolling thunder at Casement Park yesterday, Antrim finally made some noise of their own. Memories of 18 years without a championship victory were blown into oblivion with this inspiring display of football that left Down, so often their conquerors in recent years, drowning in the sorrow of defeat.

This must be what it's all about. The longer a team goes without a win, of course, the more it means. And this meant everything to Antrim. Nothing Down could do or try was about to stop them: they started out like a landslide and gained momentum the whole way.

It wasn't always the most perfect of football, and the hard rain that fell midway through the first half didn't help. Yet from the heroics of goalkeeper Sean McGreevy to the pivotal work of Sheeny McQuillan at midfield, this was a team that always looked like holding a winning hand. Manager Brian White may be less than six months in the job, but he's certainly fed some remarkable determination and confidence into his men. His team covered every inch of the pitch and at times trampled over each other to get to the ball first.

The forwards switched their positions from the start, causing all sorts of confusion for the Down defence in a strangely impressive way. It would be hard to find men anywhere with more pace than Peter McCann, Kevin Doyle or Kevin Brady. What they lacked in size, they certainly provided in speed. Down had their moments, but a missed penalty and a litany of wides in the second half proved fatal. Gregory McCartan was always going to be a key man and for the most part he helped keep the Down challenge alive right up to the final whistle. Mickey Linden and Ciaran McCabe never quite sparkled like they did in the past and, in truth, some of Down's younger newcomers never stepped up.

Down were in front only once, after their somewhat fortuitous penalty on 20 minutes. Corner forward Shane Ward had broken in from the right and laid on the perfect ball to Malachy McMurray. But a clumsy challenge by Aidan Morris brought the first real opportunity for Gregory McCartan. He almost rolled the ball along the ground but it was enough to deceive McGreevy and put Down 1-2 to 0-4 in front.

The opening quarter hour, however, was almost all Antrim. McQuillan had made it clear from the start that he chose the right boots that morning, kicking two early frees, with Joe Quinn also sandwiching one in between. Doyle quickly displayed his ability with another from play so that Antrim had four points to the one effort by Ciaran McCabe.

But even with McCartan's penalty, Antrim were never shaken. The skies might have opened and the lightning added even more tension in the air, but McQuillan kept his head up with another perfect free. When Peter McCann then pointed with even more grace, the Antrim support sensed an upset.

Just before the break, a technically perfect combination by Quinn and Doyle brought the sides level at 0-7 to 1-4. The crucial period for Antrim's chances followed. Doyle shot first, and with two more from McQuillan, the second being a gem from play, Antrim had taken the wheel. Then Con Colman made it four without reply, and perhaps more importantly, the lead had stretched to more than a goal.

Down knew they needed a goal and started to hunt with more venom. But Antrim captain Anto Finnegan found a new gear and sealed up most of the full-back line, well supported by Gearoid Adams and John Kelly.

Cue some goalmouth dramatics. McGreevy twice pulled off crucial blocks from play, but more importantly, managed to block McCartan's second penalty on 57 minutes, following a foul on substitute James McCartan. The shot lacked both power and accuracy.

The clocked ticked out in fast forward, and as each Down attack was either fumbled or forced wide, the Antrim supporters had full reason to defy the announcer's warning against pitch invasions.

Their time had come and they wanted to enjoy every second of it.