Antrim beat Derry in Ulster Under 21 Hurling decider

Antrim claimed their 28th Ulster Under 21 Hurling title as they defeated Derry 2-20 to 1-12 at Armagh.

Captain Conor McCann top-scored with 1-4 for the Saffrons, for whom eight players were on target.

Stephen Smith hit an early Antrim goal but Shane Farren's strike helped Derry draw level.

McCann's goal helped Antrim lead 2-10 to 1-8 at half-time and Johnny McIntosh's side extended their lead in the second half.

Derry were solid in the opening minutes at the Athletic Grounds with early scores from Alan Grant and Shane Farren giving the Oak Leafers a 0-2 to 0-1 lead.

However, Ger Rogan's charges were firmly placed on the backfoot by a determined Antrim side who powered to a 1-4 to 0-2 lead after 10 minutes with Smith netting a sixth-minute goal.

Derry fought back thanks to Farren's goal and the sides were level on three occasions.

However, full-forward McCann's goal put the Saffrons ahead again and it was a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

McIntosh's charges led by 2-10 to 1-8 at the interval and held Derry to just four second-half points.

Michael Devlin, Aidan McKeown, Stephen McAfee, Kevin McKernan, James Black, Stephen Smith and Conor Laverty notched second-half points for the Saffrons.