Antrim, led by Bronagh Devlin, dominated a hard fought Lidl National Football League Division 4 league semi-final at Kingscourt.
Antrim were full value for their four points over last year's TG4 All-Ireland intermediate champions Leitrim.
The Saffron got off to a whirlwind start with Omolara Danhunsi firing over while Anna Mullholland and Devlin found the Leitrim net in the opening three minutes.
Muireann Devaney rifled home a Leitrim goal in reply after six minutes. Which was followed by two points from Michelle Guckian, one of them a free.
Indeed, Leitrim took the lead for the first time in the game after Ailbhe Clancy was taken down for a 14th minute penalty which she converted. Antrim centre back Ciara Brown was sin-binned for fouling Clancy in the penalty incident.
A Leah Fox point four minutes later increased Leitrim's advantage to two points. Danhunsi brought Antrim level on 21 minutes.
Antrim in control
Maria O'Neill's pointed a free that put Antrim into a lead they never relinquished. Antrim outgunned Leitrim by four points to two with Devlin pointing twice. Whereas, Teresa Mellon and Dúana Coleman added a point apiece.
Leitrim answered with points from Laura O'Dowd and Ailbhe Clancy which left Antrim leading 3-6 to 2-5 at half-time. Leitrim went further behind within two minutes of the restart when Nicole Jones hammered home the saffron's fourth goal.
However, the Leitrim women responded determinedly. Devaney found the Antrim net within the space of 60 seconds and further reduced the deficit with points from Guckian and Devaney.
Antrim got back on top with Aine Tubridy and Devlin (free) whipping over points. Leitrim again managed to peg Antrim's lead back to two points thanks to Laura O'Dowd who fired over twice in succession.
A 57th minute Devlin goal ensured Antrim's win even though Omolara Danhunsi was sin binned close to the final whistle.
Antrim: A Devlin; N McIntosh, M Blaney, M Mulholland; S O’Neill, C Brown, D Coleman; A Mulholland, A Tubridy; T Mellon, L Dahunsi, A Kelly; B Devlin, N Jones, M O’Neill.
Subs: L Agnew for Jones (43); O Ni Corra for Tubridy (50); C McKenna for S O'Neill (53); A Turley for Ni Corra (54).
Scorers: B Devlin 2-3 (0-2f), O Danhusi 1-1; A Mulholland and N Jones 1-0 each; M O'Neill, T Mellon, D Coleman and A Tubridy 0-1 each.
Leitrim: M Monaghan; M Murphy, C Tyrrell, J Maye; S Reynolds, C Owens, R McIntyre; N Tighe, C Dolan; A Gilmartin, M Guckian, A Clancy; L Fox, M Devaney, L O'Dowd.
Subs: V Egan for Dolan (HT); S Quinn for Fox (40); E Guckian for Murphy (47); S Ward for Gilmartin (54).
Scorers: M Guckian 1-4 (0-2f), M Devaney (1-1), A Clancy (1-1, 1-0pen), L O' Dowd 0-3, L Fox 0-1.
Referee: Maggie Farrelly (Cavan).
