First half blitz puts Antrim top of the league

ANTRIM shot themselves to the top of the Division Three with a 1-19 to 0-12 win over Longford at Corrigan Park on Saturday afternoon.

Enda McGinley’s side travel to Louth next weekend before hosting Westmeath in the final round.

McCann’s early penalty, his first goal of the season, helped the Saffrons into a 1-11 to 0-3 interval lead, with points also coming from Ryan Murray, Ruairi McCann and Marc Jordan.

The home side, who started without Kevin Small and Jamie Gibbon,, continued after the break to maintain their fine form.

Elsewhere, there was disappointment for Down who were edged out at home to Offaly 0-15 to 0-14 and face a battle to avoid the drop from Division Two.

James McCartan handed Kilcoo duo Niall Kane and Ryan McEvoy their first starts of the season.

Down were chasing the game early on before Daniel Guiness levelled the teams at 0-3 each.

Barry O’Hagan was on target for the Down men but the sides were level, 0-8 each, at half time.

The sides were twice level in the third quarter before two Liam Kerr points and a Niall Kane ’45’ put Down o-14 to 0-11 ahead with thee minutes of normal time remaining

It was the visitors who finished strong with points from goalkeeper Niall and Paddy Dunican before Lee Pearson’s injury time winner.

Down travel to Cork next weekend, following by a home game with Clare.

READ MORE…Stephen O’Neill’s thoughts ahead of Longford game. Click here…