Despite the loss of key players on both sides, Leitrim and Antrim served up an entertaining 70 minutes of football at sunny Carrick-on-Shannon, yesterday.

Paul Kieran, James Phelan and Aidan Rooney shot Leitrim into a three point lead after ten minutes. Antrim's only points of the half came within a minute through Kevin Madden and Kevin Brady. Leading by 0-7 to 0-2 at the break Leitrim were put on the back foot by a rejuvenated Antrim immediately on the re-start.

Points from Kevin Madden and Paddy Logan in the 40th and 41st minutes reduced the arrears to a goal. Two points from manof-the-match Paul Kieran in the 43rd and 48th minutes steadied the Leitrim ship.

LEITRIM: G Phelan; D Kelleher, J McKeon, M McGuinness;, D Reynolds, J Phelan (0-1), G Foley (0-1); P Farrell, P McDermott; S Skelly, S Canning, P Kieran (0-6); P Kenny, A Rooney (0-2), J McGuinness (0-1). Subs: J Guckian for A Rooney; M Duignan for S Skelly; F Reynolds for J McKeon.

ANTRIM: D Shannon; E McLernon, T McConvery, G Bell; K Murray, A Morris, G Adams; J Quinn, C McCabe; P Logan (0- 3), J Barr, P McCann; O Doherty, K Brady (0-1), K Madden (0- 2). Subs: E Quinn for K Madden; K McGourty for A Morris; G Walsh for J Barr.

Referee: E Murtagh (Longford).