For the first time ever the All-Ireland Hurling C cup is in Down having been won on Saturday Semptember 8th by a very skillful and determined non-Ards minor team. It was indeed fitting that this historic All-Ireland victory should take place on a ground steeped in history viz Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan the home of the first Gaelic Club formed in Ulster in 1886.

This victory will live long in the memory not only of the players who took part but indeed in the minds and the pulsating hearts of the large contingent of Down supporters. For this was certainly a game where the scoreline does not reflect the game.

In a nutshell, Down got off the a flying start when they were awarded a free in the opening minute on the halfway line. Up stepped Ballyvarley's Paul O'Neill and his majestic strike came down just under the Sligo crossbar. The Sligo goalie didn't hold it and there was Paul Sheehan to flick it to the net. Midway through the half Paul O'Neill added a second goal and Down appeared to be cruising going in at the break leading 2-8 to Sligo's 3 pts.

However, any ideas Down harboured that Sligo were about to collapse were quickly dispelled on the resumption. With their full back moved to centre half forward and their big burly centre forward back to midfield it was a different Sligo who took the field for the second half. Within 8 mins of the restart the former full back had the ball in the Down net twice and when the former full forward pointed from midfield there was only 3 pts between the sides and 20 minutes left and the entire momentum was with Sligo. This young Down side were being asked serious questions but manfully they stepped up to the challenge.

Alan Higgins who had moved to centre full back along with Gary Courtney and Conan O'Neill built an impenetrable wall. Paul O'Neill and Karl Maxwell re-established their grip on midfield while up front skillful captain Paul Mc Aleenan and a resurgent Micheal Cunningham sent over a series of excellent points. With Sligo reduced to 14 men Down piled on the pressure and further goals from Chris Teague and an absolute cracker from Cormac Hughes Down sealed a memorable and historic victory. FINAL SCORELINE DOWN 4-13 SLIGO 2-6

When a still breathless and somewhat dumbfounded captain Paul Mc Aleenan raised the cup there were unbridled scenes of celebration among the red and black supporters. When the team returned to their hotel in Armagh they were applauded through the lobby by their supporters. A gesture very much appreciated by the players and their proud management team of Brian Murphy and Ronan Sheehan.

DOWN - Colm Mc Cabe, Danny Nugent, James Mc Dermott, Aaron O'Hare, Chris Teague, Gary Courtney, Conan O'Neill, Paul O'Neill, Karl Maxwell, Cormac Hughes, Paul McAleenan, Micheal Cunningham, Paul Sheehan, Danny Grant, Alan Higgins. Subs - Michael Fegan, Declan Doherty, Thomas Lennon, Brian Grant, Arthur McConville, Matthew Teague, Shane Courtney, Michael Mullan, Mark Rafferty, Conor Mc Clorey, Cormac White, Matthew McAfee, Mark Devlin, Blain Murphy, Stephen McCuskar.