Ulster Minor Football League
Antrim v Derry
Antrim minors found the going tough against an excellent Derry side in the Ulster Minor Football League at Dunsilly on Saturday afternoon. The young Oak Leafer’s had too much pace, power and knowhow for an Antrim team who, to their credit never gave up and enjoyed their best spell late in the game.
Antrim set up defensively but sat too deep at times and didn’t match the collective press of the visitors who turned their opponent over time and again in the opening half.
It took an excellent save from Casement’s John McAtamney to deny the visitors a goal but the Saffrons were too reliant on the individualism of Liam Og Cullen, Odhran Quinn and JJ Higgins as they attempted in vain to open their account.
It didn’t get much better for Antrim after the break as the Derry dominance continued and Padraig Haran became the second Derry defender to come forward for a score.
Antrim were still fighting hard to break the Derry strangle hold but were forced into conceding frees which were being swallowed up by Eamon Young from the right hand side and Caoimhin Hargan.
As we entered the final stages Antrim began to enjoy a wee bit of success but a couple of promising moves came to nothing with JJ Higgins just wide of the target.
They were certainly enjoying a bit more possession however with substitutes Fiontan Brady and Patrick O’Neill showing well and Ryan McKeever making a couple of good runs from deep.
JJ Higgins finally got his reward as he pointed a 28th minute free and the St. Brigid’s man with Liam McLernon, Cormac Trainor, Daire Higgins, Michael McKenna Odhran Quinn and substitute Fiontan Hardy were best on the day for a well beaten Saffron side.
Derry look the complete package. Great individual athleticism, skill and pace and every player looked comfortable on the ball. They complemented that skill with a great hunger and their collective press caused Antrim problems all afternoon.
