Derry had to fight off a determined challenge from New York before squeezing through by just two points at Gaelic Park last night to advance to the Ulster Senior Hurling Championship final, where they will play Down or Antrim.

John O'Dwyer and Michael Collins led the Northerners' efforts as the visitors erased a three-point half-time deficit (1-8 to 0-8) after Robbie Ryan had netted the New York goal on 14 minutes.

The second half was all Derry as they held New York scoreless until the 32nd minute of the first half.

A pair of Fletcher frees brought the exiles to within a single point, but O'Dwyer's injury-time point sealed their fate.

DERRY: K Stephenson; P McVeigh, E McKeever, C McEldowney; D Magill, M Conway, A McCloskey; P Cartin, R Convery (0-1); M Collins, R Kennedy, D McGreillis (0-2); J O'Dwyer (0-5), O Collins (0-7, 6fs), C McKeever. Subs: G Biggs, G Brunton.

NEW YORK: D Simms; A Kiely, P Dalton, B Smith; T O'Callaghan, S Quirke, A Guinan; J Madden (0-1), S Nolan; M Stretch (0-1), G Quinlan, T Fletcher (0-8, 6fs); B Kennedy, K Kennedy, R Ryan (1-0). Subs: K McKay, J Byrne.