Report: Murray and Cassidy hit the net as Derry advance

Ulster SFC

Derry 2-23 Antrim 1-13

By Michael McMullan

DERRY eased to a first Ulster Championship win since 2023 with victory over Antrim on Saturday evening in Find insurance Celtic Park.

It was a first home Ulster championship win since their 2015 win over Down and sets up a semi-final against the winners of Sunday’s clash of Monaghan and Cavan in Clones.

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

Ciarán Meenagh’s side created five goal chances in the first half alone with Antrim needing goalkeeper John McNabb in fine form between the posts.

It was a 100^th senior appearance for Shane McGuigan who finished with 0-9 to his name.

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

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

McGuigan 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 were never behind after that and created 11 goal chances in all but their only green flag came in the 23^rd minute.

As goalkeeper McNabb pushed out to join the overlap, Antrim’s lateral kick pass was cut 0ut but 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 Marc 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.

Pressure

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.

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

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, P McGrogan, E McEvoy, R Ó Mianáin and B Rogers 0-1 each.

Antrim: N Burks 1-3, E McCabe 0-3, R McQuillan 0-3 (1tp) each, P Shivers 0-2, P McAteer (f) and C Hand 0-1 each.

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

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)