Derry marched into the Ulster Championship semi-finals with a commanding 2-23 to 1-13 victory over Antrim, but manager Ciaran Meenagh was already looking ahead, insisting there is "plenty to work on" for his side.

The Oak Leafers, heavy favorites entering the contest, controlled the game but left their manager frustrated with a lack of clinical finishing, particularly in the first half. "We had a definite plan, but the most frustrating thing is what we left behind us," Meenagh stated. "We created plenty of goal chances, which is the positive, but we just didn't convert them."

Clear-cut opportunities for Conor Glass and Lachlan Murray were thwarted by last-ditch Antrim defending, a reminder that even in a dominant win, execution is key. "You have to roll with it. Some days everything goes over, other days it doesn't, that's football," Meenagh added, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of the sport.

He attributed some of the offensive rust to a focused training block following the league, suggesting that while physical fitness is sharp, the finer points of their play need polishing. "There's maybe a bit of rust in terms of sharpness and the intricacies of our play," he admitted.

Despite the critique, the victory provided significant positives. The break allowed key players like Conor McCluskey and Eoin McEvoy to return from knocks, and Meenagh was pleased with the "valuable minutes" earned by the squad. He also highlighted a major milestone, with sharpshooter Shane McGuigan making his 100th appearance for the county at just 28. "Fair innings... considering the scoring he's done in that time. That experience is very important for us," Meenagh praised.

With the win secured, Meenagh's focus immediately shifted to the heightened challenge of the semi-finals. "The level is going to go up substantially in our next game. I'm confident that we will improve, and we will need to," he said, setting the tone for Derry's continued pursuit of provincial glory.