Donegal dispose of Antrim in U21 encounter

Last year's beaten All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship finalists Donegal kickstarted their 2011 campaign with a victory over Antrim.

Down and Tyrone failed to be separated after extra-time, while Cavan and Monaghan registered wins in tonight's Ulster U-21 Championship quarter-finals.

At Ballybofey, Donegal were held scoreless in the opening 23 minutes but dug deep to register an 0-8 to 0-5 win over the Saffrons.

Antrim led by 0-2 to 0-0 lead after nine minutes with Martin Kane among the scorers.

Dermot Molloy registered Donegal's first score in the 23rd minute and following further points from Molloy and Mark McHugh, the hosts took a 0-4 to 0-2 interval lead.

A brace of Michael Armstrong points levelled the tie inside five minutes of the restart.

However, scores from Thomas McGinley, Daniel McLoughlin, Odran McNicholas and Caolan McFadden paved the way for a home win.

Donegal will face Cavan in the semi-finals following the Breffni side's 1-13 to 1-7 triumph over Fermanagh at Breffni Park.

Cavan built a 1-9 to 0-4 advantage at half-time and were aided by a14th minute goal from Niall Smith.

Fermanagh bounced back with a Joe O'Brien goal early in the second period, with Cavan goalkeeper Alan O'Mara forced to make two superb saves.

Tyrone had nine of their 2008 All-Ireland MFC winning side on view but had to battle to earn a 1-12 to 0-15 draw with Down at Pairc Esler.

The Red Hands forced extra-time and came from behind again to set up a replay at Healy Park in Omagh next Wednesday.

Tyrone raced into a 0-5 to 0-3 lead at the start of the first quarter, but scores from Danny Savage, Connaire Harrison, Ryan Brady and Chris Clarke saw Down move two points ahead in the 28th minute.

The sides were tied on three occasions during the opening 22 minutes, but Tyrone pulled 1-6 to 0-7 ahead at the break thanks to Matthew Donnelly's fisted goal in injury-time.

The hosts equalised just after the restart through Paul McPolin and following points from Savage and Ben O'Reilly, they led by 0-11 to 1-6 as the game entered its final quarter.

Defences stood firm, but Tyrone showed strongly in attack with points from Paddy McNeice and Ronan O'Neill forcing extra-time on a 1-9 to 0-12 scoreline.

A Paul McPolin point edged Down 0-15 to 1-11 ahead at half-time in extra-time, but a sixth point from Ronan O'Neill ensured a drawn game and a second meeting next week.

Meanwhile, Chris McGuinness scored six points as Monaghan gained a 1-12 to 1-8 victory over Derry at Inniskeen.

Monaghan led by 1-6 to 1-5 at the break, with Pete Dooney netting for the hosts and Caolan O'Boyle knocking home Derry's goal. Derry defender James Devlin was dismissed late in the second half following a second yellow card.