Holders Antrim were made work hard for their victory over Down in last night's Bord Gais Energy Ulster U21HC semi-final at a very wet Casement Park.

Antrim 0-19
Down 1-12

Leading by just a point at the interval, the Saffrons fell behind after the restart, but they responded impressively to set up a final meeting with surprise packets Armagh at the same venue next week.
With Darren Hamill converting three frees, the home side led by 0-8 to 0-4 after 21 minutes.

Down hit back with a Paul Keith goal and levelled through points from James Coyle and Keith. But a Hamill point gave Antrim a slender 0-10 to 1-6 advantage at the break.

Two quick points from Danny Toner and Woods had Down ahead for the first time on 33 minutes, but Antrim shot five of the next seven points to regain control.

A Toner free kept Down in touch, but with Hamill - who finished with 0-9 to his credit - in fine form from frees and play, Antrim held on for a deserved victory. Tweet

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