National Football League Division Two B/ Derry 3-13; Antrim 1-8: Derry made light of the horrendous conditions at Celtic Park yesterday to cruise to victory.
Playing with the wind Mickey Moran's men built up an early advantage with points from Conleth Gilligan and Paddy Bradley (two). Joe Quinn's sixth-minute point got Antrim off the mark, but that was to be their only attack of note in the first half as Gilligan (twice) and Bradley (with three more points) continued to inflict most of the damage.
The 0-8 to 0-1 scoreline didn't reflect Derry's superiority until Gilligan drilled to the net just before he break and Eamonn Burke's point put Derry 1-9 to 0-1 ahead at the break.
It took Derry only 90 seconds of the second half to seal the win. Bradley took the ball from a poor kick-out and found Burke who finished to the net.
Antrim's only replies came from Kevin Madden frees, who had a 50th-minute penalty saved by Barry Gillis. Paul Doherty managed a late goal for Antrim but, almost immediately, he was sent off for a second yellow card. Padraig O'Kane's 67th-minute rocket brought Derry a third goal. Seán Marty Lockhart was sent off late on for a second yellow card.
DERRY: B Gillis; SM Lockhart, N McCusker, R Lynch; P Wilson, K McGuckin, Francis McEldwoney; F Doherty, E Muldoon (0-1, free); Fergal McEldowney, C Gilligan (1-4), P O'Kane (1-0); Paddy Bradley (0-7, three frees), E Burke (1-1), C Moran. Subs: C McWilliams for Wilson; Patsy Bradley for Fergal McEldowney.
ANTRIM: S McGreevy; K Murray, T Convery, J McKeever; S Kelly, R O'Loan, A Finnegan; J Quinn (0-1), D Martin; P McCann (0-1, free), K Brady, P Doherty (1-0); P Close, M. McCarry, K Madden (0-6, frees). Subs: C Brady for O'Loan; N Ward for Murray; M Dougan for Close.
Referee: J White (Donegal).
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