10 April 2011
Antrim’s bid to stay in Divsion 2 of the Allianz National Football League ended at Casement Park on Sunday as they were well beaten by a slick moving Derry side who ran out convincing winners by 1-18 to 0-13.
Derry were in command from the early stages but a badly understrength Antrim were still in touch until Caolan O'Boyle netted for the Oak Leafers on 19 minutes.
Things went from bad to worse for the Saffrons when Mark Sweeney was sent off a minute later for two yellows and from here on it was clear Antrim faced an almighty struggle if they were to survive.
Derry went on to lead by 1-7 to 0-4 at half-time but Antrim made a fight of it early in the second-half. They closed the gap to five points and looked certain to close to within two when a great passing movement by Thomas McCann and Paddy Cunningham put Kevin Brady clear in front of goal. However as the Moneyglass man ‘pulled the trigger’ Derry centre-back Barry McGoldrick made a brilliant diving save and the slim chance of a comeback was gone.
A goal at that stage might have lifted Antrim spirits but Derry were soon back in full control and played some fine football to run out easy winners, though they just failed to gain promotion on scoring difference.
Antrim: C Kerr; K O'Boyle, R Johnston, C Brady, M Johnston; T Scullion, C Murray, A Healy; S Burke, A Gallagher; T O'Neill, T McCann, Mark Sweeney, Paddy Cunningham, Kevin Brady, Brian Neeson.
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