As 2004 draws to a close, Down can look back with great satisfaction at an unexpected Division 2 title and a decent display against Antrim in the Ulster final.

Boss John Crossey was rightly pleased, but he stresses that the real hard work lies ahead of the Ulster men.

"Our main objective at the start of the year was to win Division 2 and thankfully things went according to plan," he reflected.

"Had we won the Ulster title, it would have been the icing on the cake but Antrim got the better of us after a replay.

"Overall, though, I was very pleased with the way things went for us this year. We got out of Division 2 and we can look forward to playing the big boys next year - something which hasn't happened in 10 years."