Farren's scores decisive as Derry edge out Down

ULSTER UNDER-21 HURLING SEMI-FINALS/Antrim 1-18 Armagh 0-11:DERRY PROVED too strong for Down at Casement Park last evening. Playing open and fast hurling both sides showed a lot of skills and power but overall Derry were that bit stronger both physically and in finishing power.

Down played their best hurling in the second half taking the game to Derry but they let in two goals to concede the initiative.

Derry controlled midfield through Charles Gilmore and Dermot O’Neill while in attack full forward Shane Farren was the star player on view scoring 2-7 of the Derry total with his second goal coming from a penalty and five of his points from frees.

Down, too, had a standout attacker in minor star Lorcan McMullan who scored both their goals with his second a real gem.

Down opened with a goal from Lorcan McMullan after six minutes but Derry, through Alan Grant, Tiarnan McCloskey, Chris Convery and the accurate Shane Farren gradually took control as they led by 1-10 to 1-4 at half-time.

Down restarted with three points and it was midway through the half before Derry had their first scorewith Shane Farrens goal from a penalty. Lorcan McMullan raced in for a Down goal but a third Derry goal from substitute Neil Ferris assured Derry of victory.

DERRY: S Farren 2-7, N Ferris 1-0, A Grant 0-2, C OKane 0-3, T McCloskey, C Convery, C Gilmore 0-1 each.

DOWN: L McMullan 2-2, C Dorrian 0-4, E Conway, D McManus, J Gilmore, A Smyth 0-1 each.

Antrim 1-18 Armagh 0-11:CONOR McCANN scored 1-5 as Antrim reached next Wednesday's final with victory in Newry. McCann's fourth minute goal helped the Saffrons to a 1-7 to 0-6 interval lead, although Armagh bounced back on the restart.

Scores from Conor Corvan and Conor McKee cut the gap to two points, but Antrim added seven unanswered points to pull clear.

ANTRIM: J O’Mullan; C Murray, R Gillan, F Donnelly; J McShane, M Donnelly (0-1), J McCouaig (0-1); A McKeown (0-1), S McAfee (0-2); M Devlin (0-2), K McKernan (0-1), J Black (0-1); S Smith (0-3), C McCann (1-5, four frees), N Elliott (0-1).

ARMAGH: S Doherty; M Garvey, F Corvan, A Mackle; S Renaghan, C McKee (0-3, 65s), N Greene; M Lennon, J King; D Nugent (0-1), E Carville (0-1), M Toal; D Magee (0-1), C Corvan (0-5, frees), M Lennon.