Antrim will face Derry in the 2016 Ulster U21 HC final following an excellent away victory over Down tonight, 2-21 to 1-18.

The Glensmen opened their bid for an eighth successive provincial title at this level with a battling win over the determined Ardsmen (who closed a nine-point deficit to three in the fourth quarter) at Ballycran. Domhnall Nugent and the brilliant Saul McCaughan netted in either half for the victors, wjo closed out the game like champions.

The holders led by seven points at the break, 1-14 to 0-10, with both teams giving a decent account of themselves before the short whistle.

Ballycastle's Saul McCaughan led the way in the scoring charts for Antrim.
©INPHO/Presseye/John McIwaine.

James O'Connell - who opened and closed the first-half scoring - and Alec Delargy notched the first two points for the visitors and a McCaughan brace in the 19^th and 21^st minutes helped them move three clear before Nugent found the net six minutes from the break to double the difference, 1-12 to 0-9.

The sides really went toe to toe in the second half and a Down goal twelve minutes from the end brought them right back into contention at 2-16 to 1-16 but further scored from McCaughan (3), Ryan McKee and TT Butler saw the Saffrons over the line and into next Wednesday's decider against Derry, who won in Armagh tonight.

Top scorer McCaughan landed the second Antrim three-pointer three minutes into the second half to give the winners a nine-point cushion, which was briefly threatened before they booked their place in the final.

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