Masters Ulster Football league
Antrim 0-14 Derry 1-8
This Masters game between Antrim and Derry was held up for nearly an hour when the Down referee got lost on his journey from Newry to Slemish Park but the Antrim search party finally located him and the action got under way.
Derry won the corresponding fixture last year but under the guidance of Portglenone man, Frank Delargy and his trainer, Timmy Connolly the Saffrons are a different animal this year.
They took an early lead through a Mark Graham converted free but that score was quickly cancelled out by Jimmy O’Connor with a good point at the other end.
Kevin Gallagher restored the Antrim lead following a strong run before Darren Cunning brought matters all square for the second time following a Mark in the 6th minute.
Rasharkin’s Brendan Etherson gave the home side the lead for the third time but the Saffrons were lucky when Colin Brady got back to clear a goal bound shot to Sean McGreevey’s net.
Spurred on by Brady’s intervention the home side started to get on top as they moved the ball around with confidence and they started to create a bit of space through their strong running half-back line of Tony Scullion, Michael Herron and Sean Kelly.
Points from Scullion, Mark Graham and Kevin McAllister saw them move four ahead by the 13th minute before Gavin Diamond briefly halted the run from a Derry free.
Sean Kelly extended the Antrim lead to four once more and Banty Mullin and Liam Magee exchanged further points to leave Antrim leading 0-8 to 0-4 at the break and good value for their lead.
The Saffrons extended their lead through Liam Magee with a point on the restart with Darren Mohan replying for the Oak Leaf County but it was Antrim who continued to enjoy the better of the exchanges.
Ryan Boyd replied from a free and Michael Herron got forward for a good point to extend the Antrim lead to six with ten minutes gone and Donal Brolly and Kevin McAllister exchanged further points as the men in Saffron continued to hold the upper hand.
Antrim were looking fairly comfortable at this stage but were rocked when Steven McGuigan was on hand to finish to the net from close range after the home defence failed to deal with a high delivery into the danger area.
Dunloy man, McAllister edged his side four ahead again with ten minutes remaining but Antrim were forced to endure a few anxious moments as the visitors went route one in search of another goal.
A pointed free from Gavin Diamond would be as close as Derry got however as Antrim held on for a three point win to maintain their great start to this year’s Ulster League campaign.
Antrim Panel: Sean McGreevey, Colin Connolly,Adrian Scullion, Colin Brady, Tony Scullionb, Kevin Herron, Sean Kelly, Brendan Etherson, Ken Golde, Liam Magee, Declan McLarnon, Kevin Gallagher, Kevin McAllister, Mark Graham, Ryan Boyd, Tony Convery, Niall Sweeney, Declan Hasson, Damien Casey, James McGreevey, Mickey Donnelly, Aidan Dunlop
Derry Panel: Pearse McCallan, Seamus O’Kane, Philly Mooney, Marty McGuinness, Paul Carlin, Brian Mullan, Donal Brolly, Kevin McGuckin, Eddie McLaughlin, Eugene Scullin, Jimmy O’Connor, Paul Mc Closkey, Darren Cunning, Gavin Diamond, Ciaran Mullan, 16 Joe Brady, 17 Liam McElhone, 18 Stephen McGuigan, 20 Daryl Mohan, 21 Brian Scullin, 22 C Murphy
For more pics from this game by Bert Trowlen and Paddy McIlwaine click on the link below
https://myalbum.com/album/CAUC72r9eAox6A/?invite=24b828eb-081f-4625-bda4-daaecd353583
