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Page last updated at 16:11 GMT, Sunday, 14 June 2009 17:11 UK

Donegal 0-12 1-10 Antrim

Antrim boss Liam Bradley says that victory over Donegal has galvanised the supporters for the semi-final clash with Cavan.

Antrim's Michael McCann comes up against Karl Lacey of Donegal
Antrim's Michael McCann comes up against Karl Lacey of Donegal

Unfancied Antrim pulled off a sensational win over Donegal at Ballybofey to qualify for the semi-finals of the Ulster Championship.

A 57th-minute goal by Tomas McCann proved crucial as Liam Bradley celebrated victory in his first Championship match as Saffrons boss.

Donegal had been tipped to go all the way to the final but they hit 18 wides and lacked conviction.

Instead it is Antrim who now face Cavan on 27 June with a final place at stake.

The result will be a massive disappointment to John Joe Doherty, coming after Donegal's recent relegation from Division One of the National League.

Doherty's appointment as manager in October was a drawn-out controversial affair and he badly needed a morale-boosting win to silence the critics.

But his team failed to produce the goods on the big day and Antrim snatched their chance to snatch a rare Championship success.

The Saffrons got off to a good start with Aodhan Gallagher scoring from play and Paddy Cunningham landing a free.

Donegal boss John Joe Doherty said that it took Antrim's goal to kick start his team into action but he blames Antrim defeat on too many wides.

But they suffered a blow when Sean McGreevey had to go off injured after a making a save from Conal Dunne and substitute keeper Peter Graham came on.

Four points from Michael Murphy landed four points and Rory Kavanagh two as Donegal edged the first half six points to five.

Two frees from Cunningham and points from play by Kevin Brady and Tomas McCann saw Antrim establish a slender 0-9 to 0-8 lead.

Tomas McCann was blocked out when Tony Scullion set him up with a goal chance but soon afterwards the Antrim forward hit the net for the all-important goal.

He made a telling break in from the left and, after his first shot was saved, McCann followed up to force the ball in at the near post.

Donegal dominated possession after that and hot back with two Colm McFadden frees and a point by Christy Toye.

It looked like Donegal were getting themselves out of trouble but Kevin O'Boyle landed a superb long-range point for Antrim, a point which was to prove crucial.

Kavanagh got the last score of the match but it was not enough for a disappointing Donegal.


Donegal: P Durcan, E McGee, N McGee, K Lacey, B Dunnion, K Cassidy, M McGuire, N Gallagher, B Boyle, C Bonner (0-01), M Hegarty, R Kavanagh (0-03), C McFadden (0-02, 2f), M Murphy (0-05, 3f, 1 '45'), C Dunne. Substitutes: C Toye (0-01) for Dunnion (h-t), B Roper for Hegarty (50), D Walsh for Dunne (52), F McGlynn for Boyle (59).

Antrim: S McGreevy,C Brady, A McLean, D McCann, T Scullion, J Crozier, J Loughrey, M McCann (0-01, f), A Gallagher (0-01),T O'Neill, K Brady (0-01), N McKeever, P Cunningham (0-04, 3f), S Burke, T McCann (1-02, 0-01 '45'). Substitutes: K O'Boyle (0-01) for D McCann (49), K Niblock for Burke (50) C Close for Brady (54), B Hasson for McKeever (62).

Referee: P Hughes (Armagh).



Final

Semi-finals

First round

Preliminary round

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see also
Bradley praises side after upset
14 Jun 09 |  Gaelic Games
Photos from the Ulster SFC
14 Jun 09 |  Gaelic Games


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