Ulster wrap

“

Derry will now play neighbours Antrim in the Ulster Final after seeing off Down in treacherous weather conditions at Ballerin yesterday.

The opening exchanges were scrappy with both sides trying to get to grips with each other and the weather. Down seemed to settle quicker with Captain Catherine McGourty sending over two astounding frees, one from deep in the midfield area and the other tight on the sideline about 45yards from goal.

Down suffered a blow however when their influential joint Captain and midfielder Lisa McCrickard had to retire injured but substitute Orla Maginn entered the fray and quickly added two points which put Down one behind.

The second-half saw Derry come out determined to take the game to Down. Some excellent play from Katie McAuley found Sinead Cassidy who coolly slotted over. It was McAuley who leveled things up after she was played in by Meave Boyle and Katrina O’Kane sealed the victory for Derry slotting home from close range after Down failed to clear their lines.

Derry manager Danny McGrellis was pleased with his side’s performance although he admits they need to work on some aspects of their game: “”I’m happy enough with the performance, there’s still work to be done we know that but we’ll take the result. These girls have sold themselves short on a number of occasions and we’re working on the self-belief so it’s nice that they showed character today.””

In the other semi-final Antrim overcame Armagh at Casement Park on Saturday, the girls from the Orchard battled extremely hard but Antrim’s experience shone through and they were able to overcome any obstacles Armagh threw at them.

“”At the end of the day we were comprehensively beaten but I’m extremely proud of my players; they battled hard against a far superior team,”” said Armagh manager Patsy Magee.

Indeed Antrim captain Kelly Maybin was impressed with how the Orchard girls equipped themselves on Saturday saying: “”They were an extremely physical side with some good under 16s coming through. We’re extremely pleased with our performance and the score line suggests we played well. We’re really looking forward to the final against Derry, they always give us a good tight game but we’ll be hoping that we perform,”” added Maybin.

Results: Derry 2-8 vs 1-5 Down, Antrim 5-13 vs 2-4 Armagh

“