Debutants shine as Derry ease past Antrim at Owenbeg

Second half goals from Paul Cassidy and Ruairí Ó Mianáin paved a winning started to Ciarán Meenagh’s tenure as Derry manager with victory over Antrim on Wednesday night in Owenbeg.

The game came at a cost with Conor McCluskey limping off after scoring a late point, a collision with goalkeeper John McNabb
Lachlan Murray missed an early chance before hitting the first score of the new season with Conor Doherty doubling the lead.

Murray made it three before a Marc Jordan nailed an Antrim opener.

A two-pointer from Paul Cassidy put Derry 0-6 to 0-3 ahead after 17 minutes of a low-key first half.

Paudi McGrogan made a fine catch before taking an Ethan Doherty return as Derry began to open Antrim up.

Ethan Doherty was opening channels with his runs with goalkeeper Ryan Scullion’s kicking giving Derry a platform on kick-outs.

Antrim ‘keeper John McNabb kicked a sweet two-pointer with the last score of the game after a Jordan run through the centre, leaving the score 0-9 to 0-7 at the break.

Derry made three early changes with Sean Young having a shot blocked and goalkeeper Ryan Scullion pulled a second shot of the half wide.

It took 14 minutes for the first score, a third of the night for Lachlan Murray.

When Eathan Doherty made a goal for Paul Cassidy, he bagged it for a 1-11 to 0-7 lead.

Subs Conor McAteer and Sean Kearney were among the scorers, on their debut, as Derry pulled clear before a late Ruairi Ó Mianáin goal.

Antrim will welcome Donegal to Cargin on Sunday in their second game while Derry must wait to see if they can book a semi-final spot.
 
Scorers

Derry: P Cassidy 1-2 tp, L Murray 0-3, R Ó Mianáin 1-0, S Kearney 0-2, C McAteer, E Doherty, C Doherty, P McGrogan, N Toner (f) M Doherty, S Downey, C McCluskey and N Loughlin 0-1 each

Antrim: J McNabb (tp), P Shivers (2f) 0-2 each, M Jordan, P McBride and D McEnhill (f) 0-1 each
 
Teams

Derry: R Scullion; C McCluskey, P McGrogan, D Baker; S Downey, G McKinless, M Doherty; C Doherty, P Cassidy; J Doherty, M Downey, E Doherty; N Toner, N Loughlin, L Murray. Subs: C McAteer for M Downey (HT), S Kearney for Loughlin (38), S Young for J Doherty (38), R Ó Mianáin for S Downey (48), R Mulholland for Baker (52), Baker for McCluskey (INJ 57)

Antrim: J McNabb; J Morgan, K McCann, J McAuley; G O'Neill, E McCabe, M Jordan; J Carron, P Finnegan; P McBride, C Small, T McFerran; P Shivers, D McEnhill, A McErlean. Subs: S O'Neill for Morgan (27), O Doherty for McFerran (HT), T McCann for C Small (42), R Hagan for G O’Neill (50), T Shivers for McErlean (50), P Bradley for McEnhill (50), K Small for Carron (50)

Referee: E Mallon (Armagh)