ANTRIM...2-14 DERRY...0-12: Antrim stayed on course yesterday to retain their Ulster senior hurling crown but it will take a far better performance if they are to ruffle many feathers later in the championship.
Granted they were never in danger against Derry in this semi-final and they ran out comfortable winners.
There was much more fire-power in the home attack while the defence, with Karl McKeegan, as usual, solid at centre back with his wing men Ciarán Herron and Johnny Campbell always alert to any dangers.
Derry c hurled eagerly and took some good scores but they were never in with a real chance of victory.
Antrim were not entirely happy with their performance but manager Dinny Cahill was pleased with the win.
"A win is a win and it's our first victory since last year's Ulster final," he reflected. "It wasn't the best performance but Derry played some very good hurling. They were sharp. Down will probably go into the final in two weeks' time as favourites but we will be ready for the game. I'd expect a better performance."
A magnificent 90-metre free by McKeegan in the fifth minute put the home side up by 0-2 to 0-1 and they held the lead from their on in. Still they couldn't shake off the Derry challenge until the second half.
Jim Connolly, who had a strong game at midfield during the opening period and an even better one at full forward when moved there at half-time, dropped a ball from far out in front of the Derry posts in the 20th minute. Paddy Richmond grabbed possession, took a few steps forward and rattled the Derry net to put Antrim 1-5 to 0-3 ahead.
From there to the interval Derry outscored their opposition by four points to three as Antrim led by 1-8 to 0-7 at the interval.
Connolly immediately made an impact at full forward after the restart and he rifled over a point in the 43rd minute. He then grabbed Antrim's second goal on 50 minutes to really put the issue beyond Derry's reach.
A puck out from the Antrim "square" was sent further down field by McKeegan and Connolly finished the three-man move to the Derry net and leave his team 2-10 to 0-8 up.
Both teams scored four more points before the end of what was a lacklustre affair and not a game to send the pulses racing.
Gary Biggs, who tried hard for Derry at midfield, had the last say with a point three minutes into injury-time but it was no more than a consolation score
Down beat New York 1-19 to 1-9 at the Gealic Grounds in New York last night. The hosts shot 10 first half wides, as Down built a 0-13 to 1-3 half time advantage. Gareth Johnson's sixth-minute goal in the second half sent Down on the road to a decisive victory.
ANTRIM: D Quinn; M McCambridge, K Kelly, B Herron; J Campbell, K McKeegan (0-1, free), C Herron; J Connolly (1-2), M Scullion; L Richmond (0-1), C McGuickian (0-1), M Herron (0-1); L Watson (0-4, four frees), P Richmond (1-0), B McFall (0-4, three frees). Subs: D Quinn for Watson (47 mins), J McIntosh for Scullion (53 mins).
DERRY: K Stevenson; G Brunton, L Hinphey, M Conway; B Ward, C Brunton, P O'Kane; Gary Biggs (0-1); P Kelly; K Hinphey (0-2), Greg Biggs (0-5, three frees), P Doherty (0-1); D McGrellis, P Hearty, G McGonagle (0-3, three frees). Subs: B McGoldrick for McGrellis (44 mins), A Rafferty for C Brunton (62 mins).
Referee: B Galvin (Offaly).
