Antrim are Ulster senior hurling champions for the tenth successive year.

The Glensmen - who fielded a second-string side today due to their impending Qualifier match against Limerick next Saturday - made it ten-in-a-row with a 2-20 to 2-12 victory over rank outsiders Armagh in this provincial decider at scorching Casement Park.

The Orchard County belied their lengthy 13/2 odds with a spirited display and goals from Conor Corvan (just before the break) and full forward Paul McCormack saw them within four points of the red-hot favourites, who were down to fourteen men following the second-half dismissal of wing back Ciaran Herron.

But Antrim kept their composure and Joey Scullion's injury-time goal put a one-sided complexion on the final scoreline. Colm McFall was the winners' other goalscorer.

Herron and Karl McKeegan were both collecting their tenth Ulster medals, while the brave Orchard men - who stunned Down at the semi-final hurdle - were appearing on this stage for the first time in 65 years.

Ryan Gaffney and Corvan had the underdogs off to a dream start with early points but the winners levelled through experienced duo Herron and McKeegan. McFall netted after an exchange of points between Cathal Carvill and Tomas McCann.

A trio of points from Scullion (1-7) had the Saffrons in a commanding position: 1-11 to 0-6.

But Corvan made it interesting with his 33rd-minute goal and there were seven points in it when Herron was sent to the line, 1-18 to 1-11. McCormack's late goal raised brief hopes of a dramatic denouement but Dinny Cahill's charges won with ease.

To Antrim the spoils but Armagh can look back on their campaign with tremendous satisfaction.

Antrim: C Cunningham; A Graffin, K McGourty, J McCouaig; K McKeague, M Donnelly, C Herron (0-2); B McFall (0-1), J Black; J Scullion (1-7), T McCann (0-3), E McCloskey (0-1); P Doherty (0-2), C McFall (1-0), K McKeegan (0-3). Subs: C Carson (0-1) for McKeague (h/t), P Shields for B McFall (56), D Hamill for McCann (67).

Armagh: S Doherty; B Mallon, C Clifford, JJ Hughes; B McCormack, R McGrattan (0-2), N Curry; K McKernan (0-1), J Corvan (0-1); C Carvill (0-1), R Gaffney (0-5), M Lennon; M Moen, P McCormack (1-0), C Corvan (1-2). Subs: D Carvill for Lennon (45), C McKee for Hughes (49), M Maguire for Moen (67). Tweet

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