Under-21 Hurling Provincial finals Derry 2-16 Antrim 1-18:Derry produced one of their greatest hurling feats when they came from behind in a fantastic second half to overcome holders Antrim in the Ulster under-21 hurling final at Casement Park last night.
Derry led by three points to one after seven minutes with scores from Gareth O'Kane, Sam Dodds and Michael Kirkpatrick. Antrim's point came from a free by Neil McManus.
But the home side fought back and were level at four points each after 10 minutes. The sides then twice exchanged points before Antrim raced into a three-point lead in the second quarter.
Derry regrouped with points from Ben Dodds, Kirkpatrick and Oisín McCloskey, but a point from a 50-yard sideline cut by Shane McNaughton saw Antrim lead by 0-9 to 0-8 at half-time.
Antrim increased their lead in the second half to three points, but Derry struck for two goals, from Seán Leo McGoldrick, in a three-minute spell.
With Paddy Henry, Kevin O'Neill and Gareth O'Kane adding points Derry raced into a four-point lead and, despite an Antrim goal from Paddy Doherty making for a nail-biting finish, Derry held out for a famous victory.
DERRY:D McDermott; S Henry, R McCloskey, S McNicholl; M Kirkpatrick (0-3), M Craig, C McKenna; B Dodds (0-1), N Holley; G O'Kane (0-4), O McCloskey (0-2), P Henry (0-3), S Dodds (0-1), K O'Neill (0-1), SL McGoldrick (2-1).
ANTRIM:C O'Connell; A Griffen, C McKinley, M Devlin; N McAuley, N McManus (0-2), B McFall; S McCrory, C Duffin (0-1); S McNaughton (0-2), C McFall (0-2), E McCloskey (0-1); S McDonnell (0-1), P Doherty (1-2), P Shields (0-6). Subs: C Donnelly (0-1) for S McCrory, K McKeague for C Duffin.
Referee: T Mahon (Fermanagh).
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