GAA: Antrim goals shock Derry

This was a rare victory indeed for Antrim over Derry and one that did not seem very likely in the early stages.

Derry were very much in control late in the first half, dominating in the middle third and were six points to the good at 0-10 to 0-4.

However, two defensive errors gifted Antrim goals that completely changed the complexion of this game. Instead of going into the break comfortably ahead Derry were reeled in to go in level pegging at 0-10 to 2-4. Antrim then hit three quick points at the start of the second half before Derry drew level, however a third goal in the 54th minute gave Antrim a lead they would not relinquish as they went on to win by a single point 3-7 to 0-15.

In his post-match comments Derry manager Damian Cassidy was quite clear where it all went wrong for Derry. "It's very obvious where we lost that game - the three goals," he said.

"We outscored them with fifteen scores to seven - but the three goals, especially the two before half time, completely transformed the game from Antrim's perspective.

'We lorded the first half, we dominated, controlled the middle third of the pitch, winning clean ball and break ball and making good use of it up front, but the goals brought them back into the game."

While Cassidy did not wish to criticise his players he did call it honestly. "Unfortunately both goals were mistakes of our own making. It wasn't a case of scores manufactured by Antrim, it was two mistakes by our own players, where we lost possession, simple possession, and they converted the goals and that changed the complexion of the entire game."

After Antrim opened the scoring with a Paddy Cunningham point in the first minute Derry went on to dominate the opening quarter with six unanswered points.

Glenullin's Eoin Bradley, son of the Antrim mangaer Liam Bradley hit four, all from frees, while Eoghan Rua's Declan Mullan, making his senior inter-county competitive debut, scored a neat point, Paul Bradley also converted a free in that spell.

Antrim then enjoyed a good spell of pressure and outscored Derry 0-3 to 0-1 between the 17th and 28th minutes, all three home points coming from the accurate free taking boot of Paddy Cunningham while Kevin O'Neill had the Oak Leaf men's point.

Coleraine man Declan Mullan did well to poit and Eoin Bradley added another before Antrim capitalised on a defensive error for their first goal in the 31st minute, Michael McCann converting. Bradley then had Derry six ahead again before a second defensive error deep into injury time gave Michael Magill the chance to hit the net and level matters going into the break.

Antrim had punished Derry at the end of the first half and they continued in that vein in the early stages of the second with three points inside the opening five minutes, Dara Edwards, Eoin O'Neill and Paddy Cunningham on target. Midway through the half Derry had drawn level again with points from Fergal Doherty, Raymond Wilkinson and an Eoin Bradley free.

A ten minute barren spell then followed before the home side struck their third goal, that proved to the decisive score in the game. Another of Derry’s debut boys, goalkeeper Martin Dunne, made a superb close range save from Michael Magill, only for Antrim substitute Ciaran Close to react quickest with the follow up and bury the rebound putting his side 3-07 to 0-13 to the good.

Two late points from Ballinderry’s Raymond Wilkinson, back in favour after a couple of seasons out, left the minimum between the sides. Charlie Kielt had a chance in added time to level matters for Derry from a difficult free wide out on the left side line with the last kick of the game but his effort came up short, Antrim holding on for victory.

Next up for Derry is Queens University on Wednesday evening under lights at Celtic Park with a 7.00pm throw-in.

Hurlers miss out on final place

Eoghan Rua’s Under-12 hurlers just missed out on a final place in their section of the North Antrim indoor league which was being played out at St Joseph’s in Coleraine at the weekend.

In a very competitive Division 5 group Strabane took the top spot with Burt of Donegal and Eoghan Rua battling it out for the second spot which would have earned them a place in the Divisional final next weekend.

Eoghan Rua went into the last game against Strabane needing only a draw to secure that second spot ahead of Burt. In the previous four games goals from Kevin Toman, Noah Lundy, Conal Colgan, Ruairi Devine, and Aidan Boyle along with a number of fine saves from Lucas Condron between the sticks, ensured the team were unbeaten with seven points, the same as Burt.

A draw in the last game would have ensured qualification; however, when the game got underway the Eoghan Rua side suffered a setback as Strabane scored an early goal. A second goal from the eventual table toppers at the midway point ensured it was an uphill struggle for Coleraine.

The young Eoghan Rua side battled bravely and pulled a goal back to set up a tense final few minutes. Going all out for the equaliser left gaps at the back for Eoghan Rua and eventually Strabane capitalized with a breakaway goal that ended hopes of a final place for the Coleraine lads.

Eoghan Rua panel: Ruairi Devine, Aidan Boyle, Conal Colgan, Kevin Toman, Noah Lundy, Sean Kennedy, Daniel Roundtree, Lucas Condron.

Eoghan Rua lotto: Sunday, January 17, no jackpot winner. Numbers: 2; 5; 22; 24. 25 winner Gerry Parr (Portstewart). Sunday, January 24, jackpot 2,500.