UNDER-21 FINAL Down 1-14 Armagh 2-10: DOWN RETAINED the Ulster under-21 football championship by the narrowest of margins in a pulsating encounter at a blustery Casement Park last night.

The pivotal score of the game came from Conor Poland in the 59th minute, when he slotted home Down’s goal, with Armagh holding a one-point lead. Jamie Clarke replied for Armagh but Down held out to retain their title.

Down played with the strong breeze in the first half but both teams took a while to adjust to the conditions.

The game’s first goal arrived on 12 minutes when Shane Carroll finished a sublime Armagh passing move to the net, with David Cumiskey, Seán Clarke and Jamie Clarke all involved.

As the interval approached, a second Armagh goal changed Down manager Peter McGrath’s half-time team-talk.

Kieran Hoey blasted home the rebound after his first shot was saved by Gavin Joyce between the Down posts.

The impressive Stefan Forker then added his second point from play to give the Orchardmen a 2-4 to 0-7 lead at the break.

The sides were level twice in the second half, and when David Cumiskeys point put Armagh ahead on 57 minutes, the title looked to be beyond the reigning champions.

However Poland’s goal stunned the large Armagh support and ensured celebrations for the Mourne men.

ARMAGH: P Rodgers; M Shields, G McCoey, P McKeown; M McConville, M McCoy, D Cumiskey (0-1); S Harold (0-1), K Toner; K Hoey (1-0), S Clarke, J Clarke (0-1); S Carroll (1-1), S Forker (0-5, one free), K Carragher (0-1). Subs: P McCullough for K Hoey, K Hoey for S Carroll, D McKenna for M Shields, S Williams for K Carragher.

DOWN: G Joyce; C Murney, N Higgins, D Turley; C Poland (1-1), J Fitzpatrick, T Hanna; M Magee (0-1), P Fitzpatrick (0-2); E Toner, C Maginn (0-2), J O'Reilly (0-3); P Devlin (0-1), Paul McComiskey (0-4, frees), J Murphy. Subs: C Magee for E Toner, R McGovern for D Turley.

Referee: M McErlean(Derry)