Derry held Antrim scoreless in the second period in Owenbeg as they pulled clear for a 15-point win to condemn Mark Doran to defeat in his first game in charge of the Saffrons.
Derry dominated the early exchanges racing into an early three-point lead with Lorcan Murray, Conor Doherty and Lachlan Murray on target.
Antrim eventually settled with Marc Jordan grabbing their first score on seven minutes before Pat Shivers reduced the deficit to one from a free.
Niall Loughlin and Patrick McBride traded scores as the game struggled to get into any rhythm.
Padraig McGrogan pointed either side of scores from Dominic McEnhill and Shivers, before Mark and Ethan Doherty gave the home side a four-point advantage heading into stoppage time.
Just as the game seemed to be slipping away from the Saffrons, goalkeeper John McCann landed a two-pointer from open play to cut the deficit in half as Derry went in at half-time leading 0-9 to 0-7.
It took 14 minutes for the first score of the second half to be registered with Murray firing over his third point.
Shea Downey fisted over before Paul Cassidy burst the back of the net, extending the Derry lead to seven with 10 to play.
Niall Toner added a free before substitutes Conor McAteer and Sean Kearney (two) marked their debuts with scores
In almost the final action of the game, another man making his debut, Ruairi O Mianian, scored a goal as the Oak Leafers claimed a comfortable victory.
They will now await the outcome of Antrim’s game against All-Ireland finalists Donegal at Cargin on Sunday to see if they reach the last four.
