Leitrim opened their Tailteann Cup campaign with a 3-18 to 2-12 defeat at the hands of Antrim at Corrigan Park in Belfast.
Just one point separated the sides on 40 minutes but Antrim ran out convincing winners after dominating the remainder of the game.
Leitrim started impressively and led 1-1 to 0-1 inside eight minutes. Barry McNulty with the goal on four minutes before Pearce Dolan added a point.
The hosts restored parity four minutes later thanks to a point each from two players named Ruairi McCann and one from Conor Stewart.
The sides were level on three further occasions. Two subsequent pointed frees from Dominic McEnhill gave Leitrim a two-point cushion on 35 minutes.
Keith Beirne replied for the visitors within 60 seconds before Ronan Boyle restored Antrim’s two-point cushion on the stroke of half-time; 0-10 to 1-5.
McEnhil gave Antrim a four-point cushion three minutes after the restart. Two minutes later, a goal from Leitrim’s Jack Heslin left one point between them.
An Antrim onslaught followed. First, Adam Loughran registered a goal on 52 minutes, six minutes later Ruairi McCann (Naomh Mhuire) added another.
Leitrim’s Paul Keaney ended a period of 12 minutes without a score on 61 minutes. Three minutes later, Loughran bagged his second goal pushing Antrim ten points clear.
Leitrim subsequently landed four of the last five scores. Paul Keaney (two), Jack Heslin and Keith Beirne were on target but it was too little too late.
