Sport

Antrim qualify for final

Antrim qualified for the Ulster Minor Hurling Championship final with a competent if unspectacular display at Clones yesterday…

Mon Jun 22 1998 - 01:00

Antrim qualified for the Ulster Minor Hurling Championship final with a competent if unspectacular display at Clones yesterday; their superior power and teamwork proving too much.

Cavan got off to the perfect start when Ryan McCormack fisted a goal after just 20 seconds, but they failed to build on that advantage as Antrim mounted a series of attacks which were rewarded with points from Kevin McCloskey, Ruairi O'Loane, Paddy Logan and Sean Paul O'Hagan.

With Logan and O'Hagan dominant at midfield, Antrim thwarted all Cavan's efforts to bring their attack into the game, and although Andrew Coleman hit a late point, it was Antrim who led by 0-7 to 1-1 at half-time.

Antrim continued to dictate the pace; McCloskey's accuracy from frees and some fine long range efforts from midfielder O'Hagan maintaining their control. Both could have had goals, but O'Hagan brought a fine save from Cavan goalkeeper James Reilly before McCloskey was guilty of a bad miss.

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Three Ryan McCormack points were never going to be enough to revive Cavan's challenge, which ended tamely.

Antrim: J Finucane, J McKeever, M McMullan, M Cleneghan, C Anderson, K Carey, N Ward, P Logan (0-2), S P O'Hagan (0-3), R O'Loan (0-1), K McGourty (0-1), K McClos- key (0-5), G Bell, M McCarry, J Dougan. Subs: J Johnson for Carey, P Murphy for Bell.

Cavan: J Reilly, M Lynch, D Rabbitt, R Kiernan, K Crotty, B Duffy, S Corrigan, R McKiernan, B Fitzsimons, A Coleman (0-1), P McCarney, B Cunningham, P Leydon, F Brady, R McCormack (1-3). Subs: T Wakely for Corrigan, M Fitzsimons for Cunningham, P McGauren for Leyden.

Referee: M Convery (Derry).

Tyrone minor captain Brian McGuigan is out of the Ulster Championship semi-final against Derry next Sunday after breaking his collar bone in a friendly against Cork at the weekend. McGugan was involved in an accidental clash with an opponent in the early stages of Saturday's game at Portlaoise. "It's very disappointing to miss the game. The preparations were going very well and I was looking forward to it," said a bitterly disappointed McGuigan.