Antrim 0-21
Armagh 0-16
By John Martin

ANTRIM will face Munster champions Tipperary in the All-Ireland U21 hurling championship semi-final after overcoming a skilful Armagh side at Casement Park last night.

The Orchardmen trailed by just three points by the 58th minute of a game that was level on five occasions. Antrim can thank the score-taking of man of the match Darren Hamill who finished with a tally of 10 points, six of which came from open play, and full back Cormac Donnelly who played a captain’s role in the second half.

A sluggish Antrim side took a while to get into gear and gradually got into the game with Hamill slotting over two points in quick succession

After Antrim led 0-9 to 0-8, just before the break, Donnelly extended their lead after the restart but a brace each from accurate free-taker Kieran McKernan and the excellent Conor Coulter had Armagh back in the lead.

Playing with the second half breeze, Antrim began to get on top with senior star PJ O’Connell landing two fine points from range to cut the gap.

After sustained Antrim pressure, Martin Maguire pointed Armagh’s first score for 12 minutes, but the Saffrons added two further points to retain their title and set up an All-Ireland semi-final with Munster champions Tipperary.

ANTRIM: E Gillen; K Molloy, C Donnelly (0-4, 0-4f), L McAuley; C Corvan, S Shannon, J Campbell; PJ O’Connell (0-2), E Laverty; M Devlin, T McCann (0-1), C Rocks; M Armstrong (0-3), D Hamill (0-10, 0-4f)), C Quinn

Subs: M Lynch for E Laverty, G Laverty for M Devlin, T McAlister for L McAuley, S Woulahan for C Rocks

ARMAGH: P Kelly; R Comiskey, P Gaffney, JJ Hughes; S McNaughton, N Curry (0-1), D Carville; K McKernan (0-7, 0-6f), M Maguire (0-2); P Monaghan, M Lennon (0-2f), D Carville; C Corvan (0-1), C Coulter (0-3), M Moan

Subs: T Duffy for P Monaghan

Referee: D Magee (Down)