Tipperary - 5-23 Antrim 0-13 Improving Tipperary chalked up their third win on the trot at Semple Stadium, Thurles yesterday defeating Antrim by 25 points to keep themselves firmly on course for a place in the qualifying stages of the competition.
Tipperary's victory was never in doubt. Even against the blustery wind in the first half, they called the shots and were ahead at the break 2-9 to 0-10.
Eoin Kelly grabbed both goals, from 20-metre frees in the 12th and 34th minutes and it was little consolation to a battling Antrim that they ought to have had two goals themselves, but Martin Scullion and Ciarán Connolly both missed gilt-edged chances before the break.
The second half was a formality. Tipperary picked off their points at will and were 2-22 to 0-13 clear by the 22nd minute when Tommy Dunne blasted home their third goal.
He added another three minutes from time. Just on full-time goalkeeper Brendan Cummins sent a free from outside his own 20-metre line all the way to the net for Tipperary's fifth goal.
Without their Dunloy contingent and still pointless after four games, Antrim looked out of their depth and are facing a tough battle to avoid relegation.
Biggest cheer of the day marked the entry to the game of Tipperary's full back Philip Maher. Out of action since last year's league final because of a knee injury, he played the closing 15 minutes and will be a big asset to Tipperary in the coming campaign.
Tipperary did not need him in this encounter. With Eoin Kelly, Eamon Corcoran, Séamus Butler, Benny Dunne and Eddie Enright all on song they were the most comfortable of winners.
Antrim's serious work begins now as they bid to stay in Division One. Their challenge suffered in this game when centre back Karl McKeegan was injured early in the second half. He was the star of their side up to that and, though he continued, his influence was greatly reduced.
Kieran Kelly, Ciarán Herron, Michael Herron and Aidan Delargy were others to do well for them.
TIPPERARY: B Cummins 1-0; T Costello, J Devane, M Phelan; D Fanning, D Kennedy, E Corcoran; E Enright, P Kelly 0-1; P O'Brien 0-3, J Carroll 0-1, B Dunne 0-5; S Butler 0-2, G O'Grady 0-1, E Kelly 2-8. Subs: S Sweeney for D Kennedy, T Dunne 2-2 for O'Grady; D Byrne for Enright; P Maher for Phelan; T Scroope for Butler.
ANTRIM: D Quinn; M McCambridge, K Kelly, G Cunningham; B Herron, K McKeegan 0-1, C Herron 0-3; J Connolly, M Scullion; M Herron 0-3, N Reynolds, L Watson 0-1; C Connolly, A Delargy 0-3, S Kelly 0-2. Subs: M Kettle for Cunningham; J Scullion for Kelly; P Cunningham for Connolly.
Referee: M Haverty (Galway).
