Goals from Paddy Richmond and Colm McGuckan just before the interval sent holders Dunloy into a commanding 2-6 to 0-3 lead and on their way to a well-deserved victory over Lavey at Casement Park yesterday.

The gap in standards was very evident, although Lavey weren't helped by the fact that key midfield Ollie Collins sustained an injury in midweek.

"I think we made a mistake in starting Ollie - it might have been better not to play him at all," reflected manager Sean McGuinness. "We had to move him up to full-forward and bring Henry Downey out to midfield. That upset our game plan as we wanted Henry on Gary O'Kane."

The Antrim champions led by 0-4 to 0-3 after 21 minutes before they wrapped up the game. Points by Gary O'Kane and Liam Richmond increased the lead prior to Liam's brother Paddy scoring the first goal from close range after 25 minutes.

Within 60 seconds the second Dunloy goal arrived. Lavey keeper Fergal McNally seemed to have a long-distance lob from Colm McGuckan safely in his hand but allowed the ball to spin home.

Any hopes of a Lavey revival ended five minutes after the restart, when Paudie McMullan flicked the ball to Paddy Richmond who scored with ease to give the champions 3-8 to 0-5 lead.

Lavey reduced the deficit with a scrambled goal from Seamus Downey in the closing seconds.