Down 3-8 Donegal 0-4

The Down Minor B team (consisting of players from intermediate and Junior clubs) have added the Ulster League title to their All Ireland Championship on Saturday. Played in Letterkenny, the final was a tough match with lots of hard graft and occasionally skilful hurling on display. The players were not helped by the first half wind, rain and slippery pitch although the surface remained immaculate throughout.

Down took the lead with point and a goal to no score after 5 minutes but spent the next 20 minutes soaking up pressure from the Donegal attack who only scored 2 point from 25 minutes play. Down missed several chances themselves including 5 scorable frees and hitting the post from close range. However points from midfielders McAleenan and Maxwell left Down 1-3 to 0-2 ahead at halftime.

Playing with the wind in the second half Down pressed forward and Donegal had little response. Scoring 1-5 to Donegal’s 0-2 left Down clear leaders with 10 minutes remaining. Down continued to work hard and finished as they started with a Cunningham goal. A jubilant Down team finished off their most successful year to date as 13 point winners over a Donegal team that fell away badly in the second half.