ULSTER U21 HC/Semi-final Down  1-9 Derry  0-7: A goal by senior star Paul Braniff after eight minutes, direct from a 30-metre free, set up Down for victory over their great rivals in this under-21 hurling championship semi-final in McKenna Park, Ballycran on Saturday.

In a mediocre game it was their better teamwork, solid defence, good midfield and greater penetration in attack which steered them home. Indeed had the Down attack made better use of the supply which came their way they would have had a bigger win.

Down opened with a point from Stephen Johnston inside a minute. Braniff added a goal and a point before Dominic McGill had Derry's opening point from a free midway through the half. Down points from Owen Clarke and two from Brendan McGourty gave them a 1-5 to 0-3 half-time lead.

Three Braniff points in the 10 minutes after the interval increased the Down lead. Derry made a spirited revival with three points from frees by Dominic McGill but Down held out.

DOWN: K Keating; G Dynes, G Johnston, G Coffey; A Dynes, G Clarke, J McGrath; B McGourty (0-2), D McCusker; S Johnston (0-1), P Braniff (1-5), J H Hughes; M Magee, R Murray, O Clarke (0-1). Sub: J Haughey for S Johnston

DERRY: J McGeehan; S McGlone, O McGuigan, C McKenna; P Gallagher, D McGill (0-4), K Hinphey (0-1); A McCloskey (0-1), R O'Hagan; S McBride (0-1), P Quigg, H Kelly; P Farren, S Stephenson, C McKeever. Subs: M. Kidd for G Stephenson; B McGuigan for McGlone.

Referee: T McIntyre (Antrim).