Leo Murphy Cup U20 Development League
U-20 Antrim 2.07 v 0.13 Derry
Photographs: Bert Trowlen
When Cargin’s Pat Shivers fired over a 53d minute free Antrim looked to be on their way to victory in this opening game of the Leo Murphy Cup at a wet Glenavy last night. Visitors Derry had other ideas however and finished with the last three points of the game to draw level in what was a good game of football, played in difficult conditions.
Antrim got off to the best possible start and a foul on Declan Smyth resulted in a penalty which Rossa’s Dominic McEnhill confidently tucked away in the 4th minute. Derry opened their account with a point from Mark McGrogan but Antrim were playing well and growing in confidence.
A point from Creggan’s Dominic McAteer restored their three point advantage but Derry responded and points from Ben McCarron and Alex Doherty reduced the gap to the minimum with 18 minutes gone and the visitors looked to be gaining the initiative.
However Antrim were able to find a response and a great build up involving several players saw Eoghan McCabe fire past Oran Hartin in the Derry goals and the Saffrons had moved four ahead with nine minutes remaining to half time.
The Oak Leaf county finished the half strongly however and a Mark McGrogan pointed free in the 24th minute and another from play in the 31st saw them close the gap to two at the short whistle and leave matters finely balanced for the second half.
On the restart Antrim reasserted themselves on the game as Dermot ‘Buggsie’ McErlaine and Eoghan McMenamin fired over early points to move them four ahead once more but again the visitors were able to find a response to keep the watching supporters on their toes.
Things were certainly warming up as Paul Cassidy and the excellent Ben McCarron replied with points for Derry and further exchanges between Dominic McEnhill for Antrim and a Mark McGrogan free for the visitors kept matters finely balanced going into the final quarter.
Alex Doherty for the Oak Leaf boys and Pat Shivers for the saffron exchanged further minors as play swung from end to end but Shivers converted free with seven minutes remaining saw Antrim move three in front and they looked to be on their way to victory.
Derry refused to throw in the towel however and in a spirited finish Mark McGrogan pointed in the 55th minute and added another with two minutes remaining before Paul Cassidy tied the contest to earn his side a share of the spoils with time almost up.
A good game of football played in driving rain throughout and both sides deserve great credit for serving up a very entertaining hour’s football and in the end a draw was probably a fair result though Antrim will feel they should have seen the game out.
Antrim panel: Michael Byrne; Marcus Donnelly; Aidan Mulholland; Eunan McAteer; John McCaffery; Eoghan McCabe; Domnic McAteer; Jack Lenehan; Eoghan McMenanin; Eoin Nagle; Teirnan McAteer; Declan Smyth; Ronan Kelly; Aaron McNeilly; Domnic McEnhill; Luke Mulholland; Ryan Convery; Ciaran O’Neill; Jamie Lennon; Cormac McGettigan; Dermot McErlain; Pat Shivers. Jamie Gribben.
Derry panel; Oran Hartin; Tiernan Woods; Conor McCluskey; Oran Magill; Martin Bradley; Padraig McGrogan; Sean McKeever; Dara Rafferty; Jude McAtamney; Mark McGrogan; Ben McCarron; Fergal Mortimer; Eunan Mulholland; Paul Cassidy; John Paul Devlin; Aidan Gillan; Simon McErlain; Eunan McElkennon; Jarlaith Donaghy; Niall Doyle; Ethan Doherty; Alex Doherty; Ruairi Rafferty; Fintan Bradley; Conleth McGuckin.
Referee: Niall McKenna
Ciaran O’Brolchain of Gort ha Mona presents a cheque to Paddy McIlwaine from the saffron Gael prior to the Gorts game against Aghagallon on Monday night