By Down Hurling Chairman Michael Keenan

A very understrength Down u-16 Hurling team made a fruitless journey to Ballinscreen on Saturday. After Down had defeated Antrim hopes were high that this young talented team could go the whole way and lift the Ulster title. However the holiday period spelt disaster for Down as they were forced to confront Derry with 9 of their team missing. Despite this severe handicap this young team did themselves and the county proud against a much bigger stronger and very talented Derry side.

Down got off to an excellent start with a Hugh Torney point but when a somewhat speculative cross dropped into the Down net Derry took complete control hitting 1-11 without reply. A Micheál Cunningham point just before half-time left Down with a mountain to climb trailing 1-11 to 0-2.

Despite playing against the wind Down did much better after the break and a Micheál Cunningham long range free sailed into the Derry net.Derry did add a further 4 pts.,before Connor Dorrian broke through for a brilliant goal. However two late Derry goals gave the homeside a somewhat flattering winning margin and a place in the final on score difference ( all three teams having finished on 2 pts.)

Down team; Ryan Kelly, Michael Hughes, David Johnson, Chris Teague, Ben Toner, Joe Smyth, Micheál Cunningham (1-2), Declan McManus, Andy Smyth, Niall Toner (0-1)