Antrim win Ulster U21 Hurling Championship for 8th year in a row

Bord Gáis Energy Ulster U21 Hurling Championship Final:

Antrim 0-16 Derry 1-09

Antrim won their eight Ulster U21 hurling title in a row on Wednesday evening in Loughgiel, beating Derry with a full-time result of 0-16 to 1-09.

An early goal from Derry’s Cormac O’Doherty gave the Oak Leafer’s a lead which they held onto into the second half of the game.

However defending champions Antrim came out strongly in the second half and a point from substitute Cormac Ross left the sides level with 1-07 to 0-10 as they entered into the last quarter of the final.

The Saffron’s Maoi Connolly, Saul McCaughan and Christy McNaughton all scored crucial points in the second half to see Antrim pull ahead and claim the Bord Gais Energy Ulster U21 Hurling Championship title with four points to spare.

Ollie Bellew’s side now advance to a semi-final clash with the new Munster champions Waterford on 20 August.

ANTRIM: C Heyden; D McMullan, T Burns, R Diamond; G Walsh (0-1 free), P Burke, J Maskey; R Gillan, A Delargy (0-1); M Connolly (0-3), D Nugent, J O’Connell, S McCaughan (0-9 free), TT Butler, R McKee; Subs: C Ross (0-1) for Gillan, C McNaughton (0-1) for O’Connell, E McManus for Diamond, R Delargy for Nugent.
DERRY: S Cassidy; G Farren, P Turner, P McNeill; S McGuigan, M McGrath, R McCartney; E McGill, P Burke; T Magee, M McGuigan, D Foley (0-1 free); G McCormac (0-1), C Doherty (1-7), B Cassidy; Subs: S Quinn for Magee, B Laverty for Burke, D Carton for Foley, T O’Kane for McCartney.
Ref: A Ferguson (Fermanagh).