Cavan hold on for win

Cavan 1-11 Antrim 0-12:  TOMMY CARR celebrated his first win as manager of Cavan at Casement Park yesterday.

Antrim's Ciarán Close and Michael McCann had goal chances, but both times Fintan Reilly saved brilliantly. Cavan's Paddy Gumley goaled on 22 minutes in the middle of a 1-3 contribution without reply. Six minutes later, Cavan's Ger Pearson added a point, but Antrim replied with points from McCann, Aodhan Gallagher and Close to trail 1-8 to 0-7 at the break.

Antrim cut the deficit to two through McCann on 53 minutes. Close then saw his goal-bound shot saved before Pearson and Eddie O'Reilly gave Cavan breathing space. Close and Colm Fleming completed the scoring.

CAVAN: F Reilly; M Cahill, P Reilly, E McCormack; P Brady (0-1), D O'Dowd, J McCutcheon; C Gallagher, N Walsh (0-1); C Mackey, A Reilly, E O'Reilly (0-3); P Gumley (1-3, two frees, one 45), D Givney, G Pearson (0-2). Subs: J O'Reilly for (0-1, free) for P Gumley, L Reilly for C Gallagher (yellow card), J Clarke for A Reilly, J Crowe for P Brady, P Gumley for M Cahill.

ANTRIM: J Finucane; C Maxwell, S McVeigh, A Douglas; T Scullion, P Carey, L Carlin; M McCann (0-3, two frees), B Hasson; A Gallagher (0-1), K Brady (0-1), D McAlernon, C Close (0-6), D Graham, G McAleese. Subs: K Cunningham for A Douglas, D Edwards for D Graham, N OConnell for G McAleese, C Creaney for D McAlernon, K McGlinchey for B Hasson, C Fleming (0-1) for C Creaney (yellow card).

Referee: C Branagan (Down).