17 January 2010
Goals from Michael McCann, Michael Magill and substitute Ciaran Close saw Antrim record a a 3-7 to 0-15 victory over the Derry in Sunday's Barrett Electrical Dr McKenna Cup Group C clash at Casement Park.
Midway through the opening half there were few in the good sized Casement Park crowd who would have fancied the Saffrons chances of victory as they trailed the visitors by 0-8 to 0-2 after being outplayed in most areas of the field.
However Antrim under manager ‘Baker’ Bradley are a different kettle of fish and they began to find a bit of pattern to their play to slowly claw their way back into the match. They still trailed by six points with just five minutes of first half play remaining but goals by Michael McCann in the thirty-second minute and Michael Magill in the thirty-sixth saw them go in at half-time on level terms at 2-4 to 0-10.
The Saffrons made a great start to the second half with three quick points from Dara Edwards, Paddy Cunningham and Eoin O’Neill to move three points clear. Derry did come back and drew level midway through the second-half but a goal from substitute Ciaran Close, after the Derry keeper had saved Michael Magill’s initial shot, gave the initiative back to Antrim.
Derry fought hard to salvage at least a draw and points by Raymond Wilkinson and Eoin Bradley (son of Antrim manger Liam Bradley) saw them close the gap to the minimum.
Michael McCann was off target with a free which would have given Antrim a cushion and in the final kick of the game the Antrim fans had their hearts in their mouths as Derry had a chance to level matters from a narrow angled free, which to the relief of all in Saffron dropped just wide of the target.
A good start for Antrim, who like Derry fielded a largely experimental team. The first twenty minutes were poor to say the least but they worked hard to get themselves back into the game and will go to Newry on Wednesday night to face Down with a bit more confidence.
Scorers -- Antrim: P Cunningham 0-5 (3f), M McCann, M Magill, C Close 1-0 each, E O'Neill, D Edwards 0-1 each.
Derry: E Bradley 0-7 (3f), R Wilkinson 0-3, D Mullan 0-2, K O'Neill, F Doherty, Paul Bradley (f) 0-1 each.
Antrim-- J Finnucane; A Douglas, P Doherty, D Gault; T Scullion, K McQuillan, J Loughrey; B Hasson, N O'Connell; M McCann, E O'Neill, B Herron; P Cunningham, M Magill, G O'Boyle. Subs: D Edwards for N O'Connell; K Brady for B Hasson; C Close for E O'Neill; P Carey for K McQuillan.
Derry -- M Dunne; J O'Kane, G McLaughlin, B McGuigan; L Hinphey, G O'Kane, C Kielt; F Doherty, Patsy Bradley; A McCartney, R Wilkinson, K O'Neill; E Bradley, D Mullan, Paul Bradley. Subs: B Mullan for A McCartney; M McGoldrick for B McGuigan; E Lynn for D Mullan; J Diver for K O'Neill; S Bradley for Paul Bradley.
Ref -- L Smyth (Down).
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