Devlin double sets Derry on their way

Two first-half goals from Aaron Devlin in a three-minute spell essentially sealed an Oak Leaf win over Antrim in last night’s Ulster Under-21 FC quarter-final at Casement Park. Until Devlin’s two-goal salvo, Antrim had looked the better side and led by 0-3 to no score after eight minutes. thanks to a Brendan Bradley brace.

Then came the first of Devlin’s goals, as the Derry captain was gifted the ball by Antrim defender Fionnbarr O’Neill and had the easiest of tap-ins on 10 minutes.His second goal came when he cleverly chipped the Saffron netminder Kylan Allsopp.

On 29 minutes goal number three arrived, again with a touch of fortune as Ryan Dougan’s shot was deflected by O’Neill and rocketed to the roof of the Antrim net. Derry led 3-3 to 0-5 at the break.

If Devlin was the star of the first half, then the second belonged to Christopher Spiers, who finished with 1-4, while sub Aidan McKeown bagged Antrim’s goal on 47 minutes.