21 July 2010
Ulster Under 21 champions Antrim booked a place in this season’s final when they beat Down by 0-19 to 1-12 in Wednesday evening’s semi-final at Casement Park.
Strong performances up front by Michael Armstrong (in the first-half) and Darren Hamill (in the second) was enough to see the Saffrons through in an entertaining game. Armstrong proved a handful for the Down defence in the opening half with the Rossa man scoring three of his side’s nine points and being involved in moves which led to two others as Antrim edged 0-10 to 1-6 clear at the break.
Down levelled just after the restart and edged ahead a minute later when team captain Conor Woods sent over a cracking point direct from a sideline cut to move 1-8 to 0-10 ahead. However Antrim were soon level with a point from a Darren Hamill ‘65’ and points from Conor Rocks and Michael Armstrong eased them two clear.
There was little to chose between the sides during the next ten minutes as Antrim just managed to keep their noses ahead, but an inspired spell by Darren Hamill in the final ten minutes of the game saw the Saffrons safely home. Hamill started his run with a point from a 65 on fifty minutes before adding a real beauty from play a minute later. Chris Quinn chipped in with a point before Hamill rounded off a fine individual display with two more points from play to steer his team into next Wednesday evening’s final against Armagh.
ANTRIM: E Gillen; M Burke, S Shannon, L McAuley; C Carson, K Molloy, J Campbell (0-1); PJ O’Connell (0-1), G Laverty; M Devlin (0-2), T McCann (0-1), C Rocks (0-1); M Armstrong (0-4), D Hamill (0-9, 0-4f, 0-2 ‘65’), C Brogan.
Subs: Terry McAlister for M Burke, M Lynch for G Laverty.
DOWN: D Ennis; M Conlon, P Flynn, M Hughes; S Conlon, C Woods (0-4, 0-1, 0-1 ‘65’, 0-1 sideline), C Hughes; A O’Prey, M Magee; C Mageean (0-1), P Keith (1-2), P McAleenan; D Toner (0-4, 0-3f), J Coyle, A Clarke (0-1).
Subs: P O’Neill for A O’Prey.
Referee: E Hasson (Derry).
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