Longford produced one of their best performance in recent memory to score a 13-point win away to Antrim.
Mike Solan side scored a 1-27 to 1-14 in Portglenone.
Antrim edged ahead inside the opening minute. However, Longford quickly asserted control. Oran Kenny struck an early two-pointer before adding another as the visitors found their range.
Matthew Carey also converted a two-point free in a blistering opening spell that left Longford 0-5 to 0-2 clear after just six minutes.
Dessie Reynolds stretched the advantage further with a two-pointer on 18 minutes. Antrim responded in the 21st minute when Adam Loughran rattled the net to bring the gap back to three (1-3 to 0-9). However, Longford refused to let the momentum swing.
Longford power home from early on
Carey and Daniel Reynolds continued to pick off scores, while Oran Kenny landed another superb two-pointer.
By the half-hour mark, Longford had surged seven clear. A late flurry, including a Carey two-pointer and a Liam Glennon point sent them in ahead at the break 19-points to 1-4.
Longford picked-up were they left off, Daniel Reynolds pointing straight from the throw-in. Although, Ryan McQuillian opened Antrim’s second-half account, Longford’s accuracy never dipped.
Joseph Reynolds, Daniel Reynolds and Dominic McEnhill all added to the tally as the gap stretched into double digits once more.
Ryan Murray tried to spark a revival for Antrim with two points, but every effort was quickly cancelled out.
The decisive blow arrived on 61 minutes. Awarded a penalty, Matthew Carey made no mistake from the spot, firing to the net to put the result beyond any doubt at 1-23 to 1-10.
From there, Longford coasted home. Matthew Carey and Daniel Reynolds continued to tag on points, while Pat Shivers converted a two-point free for Antrim late on. Cathal McCabe also added to the home side’s tally, but it was mere consolation.
Longford scoring a 13-point win, 1-27 to 1-14.
