Antrim produced a powerful second-half display to secure a convincing 2-19 to 1-13 victory over Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon.
Leitrim who opened the scoring in Páirc Seán, Mark Diffley splitting the posts with a superb two-pointer after 10 minutes.
However, Antrim eventually found their range. Dominic McEnhill levelled matters with a two-pointer before Sean Elliott nudged the visitors ahead.
McEnhill struck another two-point effort, and the game swung firmly in Antrim’s favour on 20 minutes when Conor Hand burst into space and rattled the net to put clear daylight between the sides.
John McNabb, the Antrim goalkeeper, added a remarkable two-point free. Whereas, further scores from Eunan Walsh, Joseph Finnegan and Sean O’Neill stretched the margin.
Leitrim were handed a lifeline deep into first-half stoppage time when Paul Honeyman’s effort, aided by a deflection, found the bottom corner of the net.
Nevertheless, Antrim went in at the break leading 1-11 to 1-3. Tensions spilling over into a few skirmishes before half-time.
Antrim picked up where they left off. Dominic McEnhill opened the second-half scoring for Antrim, and John McNabb extended the lead with another two-point free.
Although Ben Guckian and Paul Honeyman landed important two-pointers to offer brief hope of a comeback, Antrim always appeared in control. Barry McNulty converted a two-point free as Leitrim tried to chip away at the deficit.
Antrim claim Carrick victory
Any hopes of a revival were effectively ended when Paddy McAleer found the net for Antrim; moving Antrim 2-15 to 1-9 ahead.
Ryan McQuillan underlined Antrim’s superiority with a superb two-point effort, while Dominic McEnhill continued to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Leitrim battled to the end, with McNulty adding another two-pointer late on, but Antrim’s attacking efficiency proved decisive.
Ryan McQuillan had the final word, pointing with the last kick of the game to cap a dominant display and seal a comprehensive nine-point triumph.
Antrim winning out 2-19 to 1-13.
