Derry see off Antrim to book Ulster semi-final spot

Lachlan Murray and Paul Cassidy scored the goals for Derry in a 13-point victory 

Lachlan Murray scored 1-3 for Derry against Antrim. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Ulster SFC: Derry 2-23 Antrim 1-13 

DERRY booked their semi-final spot with victory over Antrim on Saturday evening in Find Insurance Celtic Park.

Goals for Lachlan Murray and Paul Cassidy put the Oaks on the way to victory.

Antrim won the toss and chose to play against the wind on a sunny afternoon in Derry.

Niall Burns kicked the game’s first point before Lachlan Murray levelled matters after a worked short kickout.

Shane McGuigan, making his 100th appearance, kicked Derry into the lead before Antrim struck for the game’s first goal.

Adam Loughran nipped in to intercept a kick-out meant for Conor Glass. Conor Hand and Dominic McEnhill combined to make the goal for Niall Burns.

Derry were back level twice with points from Paul Cassidy and Eoin McEvoy before Niall Loughlin put Derry ahead, 0-6 to 1-2.

The Oakleafers created five first-half goal chances but their only green flag came in the 23rd minute.

As goalkeeper McNabb pushed out to join the overlap, Antrim’s lateral kick pass was cut out by Lachlan Murray who slalomed forward before slotting to net for a 1-7 to 1-2.

Diarmuid Baker hit the post and Murray had two further chances blocked by McNabb and Mark Jordan but Derry led at the break 1-11 to 1-4.

McGuigan kicked two points early in the second half but Eoghan McCabe hit a two-pointer to keep them in touch.

Derry’s pressure told when Loughlin had a shot saved and Paul Cassidy slotted home a second goal for a 2-14 to 1-7 lead after 46 minutes.

Conor Doherty and Niall Burns traded points but Derry were in a commanding position.

Doherty added another score with Rogers fisting one over for his first of the day.

McQuillan landed a two-pointer for Antrim but Murray kicked his third point of the game as Derry kept control of proceedings.

Ronan Boyle picked up a black card for fouling McGuigan to give Antrim a steeper mountain to climb.

Antrim had a late goal chance saved by McGuckin before a McGuigan two-pointer eased Derry clear.

They now await the winners of Cavan’s clash with Monaghan on Sunday in Clones.

Scorers for Derry: S McGuigan 0-9 (2f, 1tp, 1tpf), L Murray 1-3, P Cassidy 1-1, C Doherty 0-3, N Loughlin 0-2, R Forbes 0-1, P McGrogan 0-1, E McEvoy 0-1, R Ó Mianáin 0-1, B Rogers 0-1 

Scorers for Antrim: N Burns 1-3, E McCabe 0-3 (1tp), R McQuillan 0-3 (1tp), P Shivers 0-2, P McAteer 0-1f, C Hand 0-1 

DERRY: S McGuckin; D Baker, R Forbes; C McCluskey; C Doherty, G McKinless, P McGrogan; E McEvoy, B Rogers, E Doherty, C Glass, P Cassidy; N Loughlin, S McGuigan, L Murray 

Subs: P McGurk for Baker (53), S Downey for McEvoy (53), N Toner for Loughlin (56), N O'Donnell for Rogers (60), R Ó Mianáin for Forbes (65)

ANTRIM: J McNabb; J Morgan, E Walsh, K Keenan; E McCabe, M Healy, M Jordan; P McAleer, J Finnegan; C Hand, A Loughran, R Boyle; N Burns, P Shivers, D McEnhill 

Subs: R McQuillan for Loughran (38), T McCormick for Jordan (53), T McCann for McEnhill (53), B Kelly for Keenan (60), C Hynds for Burns (67)

Referee: D Gough (Meath)