Antrim and Armagh win U21 Semis
Bord Gáis Ulster GAA U21 Hurling Championship Semi Final:
Antrim 0-19 Down 1-12
Ulster Under 21 champions Antrim booked a place in this season’s final when they beat Down by 0-19 to 1-12 in Wednesday evening’s semi-final at Casement Park.
Strong performances up front by Michael Armstrong (in the first-half) and Darren Hamill (in the second) were enough to see the Saffrons through in an entertaining game. Armstrong proved a handful for the Down defence in the opening half with the Rossa man scoring three of his side’s ten points and being involved in moves which led to two others as Antrim edged 0-10 to 1-6 clear at the break.
Down levelled just after the restart and edged ahead a minute later when team captain Conor Woods sent over a cracking point direct from a sideline cut to move 1-8 to 0-10 ahead. However Antrim were soon level with a point from a Darren Hamill ‘65 and points from Conor Rocks and Michael Armstrong eased them two clear.
There was little to choose between the sides during the next ten minutes as Antrim just managed to keep their noses ahead, but an inspired spell by Darren Hamill in the final ten minutes of the game saw the Saffrons safely home. Hamill started his run with a point from a 65 on fifty minutes before adding a real beauty from play a minute later. Chris Quinn chipped in with a point before Hamill rounded off a fine individual display with two more points from play.
ANTRIM: E Gillen; M Burke, S Shannon, L McAuley; C Carson, K Molloy, J Campbell (0-1); PJ O’Connell (0-1), G Laverty; M Devlin (0-2), T McCann (0-1), C Rocks (0-1); M Armstrong (0-4), D Hamill (0-9, 0-4f, 0-2 ‘65), C Brogan.
Subs: Terry McAlister for M Burke, M Lynch for G Laverty.
DOWN: D Ennis; M Conlon, P Flynn, M Hughes; S Conlon, C Woods (0-4, 0-1, 0-1 ‘65, 0-1 sideline), C Hughes; A O’Prey, M Magee; C Mageean (0-1), P Keith (1-2), P McAleenan; D Toner (0-4, 0-3f), J Coyle, A Clarke (0-1).
Subs: P O’Neill for A O’Prey.
Referee: E Hasson (Derry).
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Bord Gáis Ulster GAA U21 Hurling Championship Semi Final:
Armagh 2-12 Derry 0-10
In the second game, Armagh shocked Derry to claim a final spot against Antrim next Wednesday (28th July).
Armagh were full value for their 8 point victory, and this win is a further boost for hurling in the Orchard County after their Minors reached the Ulster final this year, and their Senior hurlers won the Nicky Rackard Cup in Croke Park.
