Impressive Louth too strong for Antrim

National Football League/Louth 2-15 Antrim 0-12: Louth will be targeting a promotion bid after they brushed aside Antrim's challenge at Clan na Gael Park in Dundalk yesterday.

Antrim were without their St Gall's contingent once more. But while that didn't prevent them from defeating Wicklow last week, they never looked likely to register another win yesterday.

Louth were rampant from the throw-in and opened up an early four-point lead. When the visitors did open their account, Louth turned the screw with the first of two fine first-half goals.

Man of the match Shane Lennon steered a left footed shot to the net and, when Antrim replied with their second point of the match, Mark Stanfield rifled home another fine goal to give Louth a 2-4 to 0-2 lead.

Only Paddy Cunningham's accuracy from placed balls kept Antrim in contention. But Louth remained in control as John O'Brien, Paddy Keenan and Lennon (twice) all pointed after flowing moves. Darren Clarke added a late free to make it 2-10 to 0-6 at the break.

Two more Cunningham frees and a point from Owen Doherty gave Antrim hope but Mark Brennan snuffed out any hint of a comeback with two points.

LOUTH: S Reynolds; D Greene, C Goss, D Brennan, J O'Brien (0-2), J Kermath, A Hoey; P Keenan (0-1), M Farrelly; M Stanfield (1-0), M Brennan (0-2), C Grimes (0-2); JP Rooney (0-1), S Lennon (1-2), D Clarke (0-3, 1f). Subs: D Finnegan for A Greene (44 mins), T O'Brien (0-1) for P Keenan (60 mins), N Shevlin for M Brennan (65 mins), D Bracken (0-1) for D Clarke (67 mins), J Doyle for A Hoey (69 mins).

ANTRIM: J Finucane; A Press, S McVeigh, N Scullion; P Doherty, T Convery, B Herron; J Quinn, M McCarry; M McCann, M Magill (0-1), O Doherty (0-2); P Cunningham (0-8, six frees), N Donaghy, K Brady. Subs: T Scullion for M McCarry (31 mins), S Devlin for S McVeigh (half-time), C Lynch (0-1) for N Donaghy (43 mins), C McGoldrick for N Sullivan (55 mins), E O'Neill for K Brady (60 mins).

Referee: C Reynolds (Down)