Goals help Antrim spring a surprise

McKENNA CUP SF: Antrim 3-7 Derry 0-15:TWO FIRST-HALF goals in added time helped earn Antrim a surprise victory over Derry at Casement Park yesterday.

Derry had dominated most of the opening half with Fergal Doherty and Patsy Bradley getting the better of the midfield exchanges against Benny Hasson and Neill O’Connell while Eoin Bradley was in brilliant form in attack, picking off scores both from frees and play.

But once Antrim, with Paddy Cunningham starring in attack, settled they struck for those goals from Michael McCann and Michael Madill to leave the sides level at half-time, 2-4 to 0-10.

Three points in the seven minutes after the interval saw Antrim in control but Derry, with Ray Wilkinson and Eoin Bradley leading from the front, levelled midway through the half.

Ten minutes from time Antrim sent in Ciarán Close to boost their attack and within a minute he struck for his side’s third goal after a brilliant effort by Michael Magill had come back off a post to regain the lead for the winners.

It was all Derry in the final stages as they fought hard to get back in to the game but their only reward was two points from Ray Wilkinson although Charlie Kielt had a chance to draw the game with the last kick from a free but his effort drifted wide.

Derry forward Enda Muldoon is facing a six-month lay-off after breaking the same metatarsal bone which kept him out of last year’s championship.

Muldoon, who incurred the injury while training with the county squad last week, will undergo surgery in the coming days.

ANTRIM: J Finucane; A Douglas, P Doherty, D Gault; T Scullion, K McQuillan, J Loughrey; B Hasson, N O'Connell; M McCann (1-0), E O'Neill (0-1), B Herron; P Cunningham (0-5, three frees), M Magill (1-0), G O'Boyle. Subs: D Edwards (0-1) for N O'Connell; K Brady for B Hasson; C Close (1-0) for E O'Neill; OP Carey for K McQuillan.

DERRY: M Dunne; J O'Kane, G McLaughlin, B. McGuigan; L Hinphey, G O'Kane, C Kielt; F Doherty (0-1), Patsy Bradley; A McCartney, R Wilkinson (0-3), K O'Neill (0-1); E Bradley (0-7, three frees), D Mullan (0-2), Paul Bradley (0-1, free). Subs: B Mullan for A McCartney; M McGoldrick for B McGuigan; E Lynn for D Mullan; J Diver for K O'Neill; S Bradley for Paul Bradley.

Referee: L Smyth (Down).