Antrim have it so easy

National Football league/Division 2A:Antrim 1-19, London  0-5: Adapting themselves better to the heavy underfoot conditions following a period of prolonged rain, Antrim ran out easy winners over London in the opening round of the National Footbal League at Ruislip yesterday.

But London played far better than the scoreline would suggest, with hesitancy in front of goal ending many promisng moves.

With additional match practice the losers, who included no fewer than eight newcomers, could yet make an impact in the ensuing rounds.

Antrim's main threat came from the full forward line of Kevin Brady, Kevin Madden and Kevin Doyle, who between them accounted for all but four of the winning points.

Joe Quinn and Mark McCrory controlled midfield for most of the game with fullback Anthony Convery marshalling his defence in convincing style.

Goalkeeper Erroll Brown, making his debut for London, was in splendid form, with impressive performances also coming from newcomers Colm Foody, Niall Jordan, Chris Byrne, Tim O'Donovan and Mark Mooney.

ANTRIM: S McGreevy; G Bell, A Convery, S Kelly; G Adams, A Finnegan, M Mulholland; J Quinn, M McCrory (0-2); G Flynn, M McCarry (0-1), P Close (0-1); K Brady (1-2), K Madden (0-9), K Doyle (0-4). Subs: O Doherty for G Flynn; J Barr for M McCarry; N Ward for G Bell; S McKenna for K Doyle.

LONDON: E Brown; Chris Byrne, N Jordan, Ciaran Byrne; T O'Donovan, M Mooney, G McGovern; K Waldron, C McHugh; M Gillespie (0-1) , N Quinn (0-2), A Dillane; S Lynch (0-2), C Foody, C Finnerty. Subs: T Murphy for C Finnerty; V Murphy for G McGovern; S Sheehan for C McHugh.

Referee: M Curley (Galway).