Ulster U-20 Football Championship quarter-final

Derry 0-12
Antrim 0-9

By Michael McMullan

DERRY booked their semi-final place with Cavan with hard fought win over Antrim at Owenbeg on Friday night.

Senior star Lachlan Murray kicked three fantastic second-half points to help Paddy Bradley’s side to victory.

Charlie Diamond was in fine fettle with half a dozen sweetly struck frees in a game that never really sparked into life.

Antrim had the only goal chance of the game when Sean O’Neill was denied by Kian McGonigle before the Antrim man fisted over the bar in the first half.

Aidan McAleese was in fine form for Antrim, who went o-5 to 0-3 ahead coming up to half-time.

An individual point from Murray levelled matters at the break.

The second half was every bit as tight, with Derry hitting the last four points in the final quarter to seal the seal.

Elsewhere Cavan were 1-11 to 0-3 winners over Monaghan in Inniskeen, with their goal coming from Darragh Lovett.

Donegal, powered by Luke McGlynn and Johnny McGroddy, came through 1-13 to 0-9  at home to Armagh, while Tyrone host Down on Saturday (1pm) in Loughmacrory.

Derry: K McGonigle; J Duggan, A McGonigle; P McGurk; A McCluskey, C Shiels, D Gilmore; D Higgins, P O’Kane; N O’Donnell, O McMenamin; M Doherty, R McEldowney (0-1); C Diamond (0-6f), L Murray (0-5, 1f)
Subs: O McLarnon for O McMenamin (43), PJ McAleese for R McEldowney (54)
Yellow cards: M Doherty (48). C Shiels (50), PJ McAleese (61)

Antrim: D Heery; C McGirr, R Boyle S O’Neill (0-1); R Hagan; M Ferris, C Hynds, C Donnelly (0-1); E Quinn (0-1), C Higgins; B Kelly, S Duffin (0-1), A McAleese (0-4, 2f); P McLaughlin (0-1), R Lennon
Subs: F Nagle for R Lennon (HT), R Carleton for C Hynds (62), E Gough for S O’Neill (62)

Black card: S Duffin (35)
Yellow card: S O’Neill (22), C Hynds (48), M Ferris (60)

Referee: J Lewis (Fermanagh)

READ MORE – Down to face the acid test. Click here…