Dublin lose their relegation battle

Antrim 3-9 Dublin 1-11: Despite a determined second-half comeback at Casement Park, Dublin lost their relegation battle to Antrim and have slid into the second grade for the first time in many years.

Antrim, who have maintained their top grade status for another season, rattled home three goals in the opening 14 minutes to lay the basis of victory.

Johnny McIntosh opened the Antrim scoring with a point in the first minute, but it was Colm McGuickan who rocketed in the opening goal after eight minutes. McIntosh made the opening for Karl Stewart to sweep in the second on 13 minutes and within 60 seconds McGuickan grabbed his second when he doubled on a loose ball in the goalmouth.

That left Antrim 3-2 to a solitary point ahead after 14 minutes and the best Dublin could offer were a couple of points from frees and one from play as the home side led by 3-5 to 0-3 at the break.

Dublin opened the second half with a David Curtin point after 50 seconds and a goal by Emmet Carroll in the second minute, but despite dominating for 25 minutes they couldn't get through for the necessary goal. Antrim pulled away for three points to relieve the home pressure and even four in a row by Curtin weren't enough to save Dublin.

Michael Herron, Jim Connolly and Brendan Quinn (Antrim) plus Greg Bennett and Carl Meehan (both Dublin) were all yellow-carded in separate incidents.

ANTRIM: Damien Quinn; M Kettle, K Kelly, C Hamill; G Cunningham, J Campbell, C Herron (0-1 free); J Connolly, M Scullion; M Herron (0-1), C McGuickan (2-0), K Stewart (1-2); J McIntosh (0-5, 0-2 frees), M Magill, B Quinn. Subs: B McFall for Magill (49 mins), G Bell for McCambridge (61 mins).

DUBLIN: G Maguire; G Bennett, D Spain, S O'Shea; S Hiney, R Fallon, D O'Reilly (0-1 free); C Meenan, D Sweeney (0-1); G O'Meara, D Curtin (0-7, 0-5 frees), M Carton; E Carroll (1-1), M Breathnach (0-1), S Mullan. Subs: K Elliot for O'Meara (27 mins), F Chambers for Mullan (57 mins).

YELLOW CARDS: Antrim - M Herron (39 mins) replaced by Darren Quinn, J Connolly (39 mins) replaced by M McCambridge, B Quinn (52 mins) replaced by J Scullion. Dublin - G Bennett (34 mins) replaced by S Perkins; C Meehan (40 mins) replaced by S Daly.

Referee: F MacGabhann (Meath).