ULSTER SFC/First round: On the evidence of yesterday's performance at Casement Park, an abysmal league campaign which resulted in relegation has left Eamonn Coleman and his Derry team with an insatiable desire for success in this year's championship.
Antrim, completely inadequate up front, were no match for a revitalised Derry team that kicked 12 points from play.
Yet Coleman felt his side could have increased the margin of victory. "We should have had three goals on top of that impressive 16-point total," said Coleman, who was not prepared to give Antrim goalkeeper Sean McGreevey any credit for denying Gavin Diamond (twice) and Patrick Bradley.
"A player coming at a goalkeeper 13 yards out shouldn't miss. All the player has to do is send the ball in low along the ground to give the 'keeper no chance," added Coleman.
Derry had 15 wides, a statistic which irked their manager, but this was an easy win by any standards.
Antrim, despite the introduction of Kevin Madden (who had heart surgery early this year) completely failed to unhinge a superb Derry defence that featured huge contributions from central defenders, Niall McCusker and Paul McFlynn.
"I would make McCusker, the man of the match," said Coleman. McFlynn, who started Derry's scoring with a brilliant solo effort straight from the throw-in, was given the honour instead.
Coleman is already looking ahead to the next game against Donegal. "This will be a real test for us. We have big respect for Donegal, but are afraid of nobody."
Antrim, with Kevin Brady afforded a roaming role which generally took him away from the corner, were far too one-dimensional in attack.
Had the vitality and drive of the Antrim defenders rubbed off on the home side's attack, Derry may have been given a tougher task.
Antrim midfielders Joe Quinn and Mark McCrory competed well in the presence of Anthony Tohill, but more often than not the ball found a Derry defender when delivered into the visitors' zone. Often these defenders were in isolation and the clearance was easily accomplished.
Derry forwards Johnny McBride, Patrick Bradley and Gavin Diamond combined in a way that could not be matched at the other end.
Long intervals between Derry scores in both halves militated against hopes of putting Antrim away much earlier.
There was a flicker of hope for Antrim in both halves. Close to half-time, Madden's well placed line ball was boxed to the net, but a "square ball" decision was given.
This left Derry ahead by 0-7 to 0-3 at half-time, all of the Derry scores coming from play.
Madden was also involved in the second half, when Ciaran McNally couldn't get to grips with Kevin Doyle's cross. Madden gained possession 12 yards out on the left but his shot went wide of the far post. There were only four points between the teams at that stage in the third quarter.
But that was Antrim's final threat. Instead, they again face the qualifiers and have to live with the fact that the county has only won one Ulster football championship tie in 20 years.
Derry, with Tohill satisfied to drop back in a sweeper's role, completely dominated the closing stages, during which they tagged on five beautifully taken points.
Gavin Diamond figured prominently in all of Derry's moves and Enda Muldoon made a welcome appearance to buttress an already flying unit with a great point to the delight of the Derry supporters in the 10,000 crowd.
HOW THEY LINED OUT
DERRY: 1 M Conlon, 2 GDoherty, 3 NMcCusker, 4 SMLockhart, 5 CMcNally, 6 PMcFlynn, 7 GColeman, 8 ATohill, 9 FDoherty, 10 CGilligan, 11 DDougan, 12 JMcBride, 13 GMcGonigle, 14 PBradley, 15 GDiamond. Subs:EMuldoon for McGonigle (45 mins). DHeaney for Gilligan (56).
ANTRIM:1 SMcGreevy, 2 SKelly, 3 TConvery, 4 EMcLernon, 5 GAdams, 6 MMulholland, 7 AFinnegan, 8 JQuinn, 9 MMcCorley, 10 EMcCann, 11 PLogan, 12 PClose, 13 KBrody, 14 M McCorry, 15 KDoyle. Subs:KMadden for McCann (30 mins). NDoyle for Logan (51). GBell for Doyle (67)
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