Derry power past Antrim to reach last four

Lachlan Murray found the net for Derry in the first half [Getty Images] Derry powered through to an Ulster Senior Football Championship semi-final with a 2-23 to 1-13 victory over Antrim at a sun-kissed Celtic Park. Heavy favourites prior to throw-in, Ciaran Meenagh's side handled their business with minimal fuss, taking a firm grip as the opening period moved forward and saw out the second half to book a meeting with either Monaghan or Cavan on 2 May. Derry had 10 different scorers on the day with Shane McGuigan leading the charge with nine points including a pair of two-pointers, while Lachlan Murray and Paul Cassidy grabbed the goals in either half.

Antrim battled throughout and while they didn't really threaten to upset the odds following a positive start, they could take much from the performances of Niall Burns, Peter Healy and goalkeeper John McNabb who pulled off a string of saves. That McNabb was one of the stars on show told its own story as while Derry had gears to go through, they still had 13 points to spare. More to follow