Antrim battle past Derry in U21 Final

Bord Gáis Energy Ulster U21 Hurling Championship Final:
Antrim 1-19 Derry 0-17

Antrim won their seventh Ulster U21 hurling title in a row on Wednesday evening in Ballinascreen, but they were made to work hard for their victory by a determined Derry side.

Antrim took an early early after hitting 1-2 without reply following early Derry points but the Oak Leaf County were level by the break, 0-10 to 1-7, with Cormac O’Doherty, Deáglan Foley and Brendan Rogers all on target for the home side.

A tight third quarter ended with Antrim three ahead but Derry got back within two points with five minutes to go to keep their hopes alive.

However, a flurry of late points from Antrim sealed victory for them and the Saffrons can now look forward to an All-Ireland semi-final against Wexford on August 22.

Scorers for Antrim: C Johnson 1-4 (3fs), J Connolly (1 65) M Dudley, N McKenna 0-3 each, S McCaughan, E Campbell 0-2 each, C Ross, M Connolly 0-1 each.

Scorers for Derry: D Foley 0-11 (10 fs, 1 65) C O’Doherty 0-2, T McCloskey, G Bradley, B Rogers, M McGuigan 0-1 each.

ANTRIM: C Heyden; J McGoldrick, P Burke, T Burns; D O’Hara, R McCambridge, M Connolly; E Campbell, M Dudley; P McBride, J Connolly, N McKenna; C Johnson, T Ó Ciaran, S McCaughan. Subs: S McBride for Ó Ciaran (HT), C Ross for O’Hara (HT), D Murphy for McBride (HT), D Traynor for Murphy (56)

DERRY: C Owens; S Doyle, J McCullagh, C Quinn; M McGrath, M Mulgrew, E McGill; T McCloskey, G Bradley; B Rogers, M McGuigan, D Foley; J O’Dwyer, C O’Doherty, B Douban. Subs: T Brady for Douban (28), B Laverty for McCloskey (53).

Referee: J Clarke (Cavan)

Photo: John McIlwaine