The meeting of Offaly and Antrim in Tullamore yesterday was distinguished only by the poor standard of football on show. With rain and high winds, the conditions didn't help matters, but the victory enabled Offaly to maintain their 100 per cent record in the division as the league breaks for the winter interval.

It was a game dominated by defenders, with Offaly holding the upper hand through Sean Grennan, Cathal Daly and Finbar Cullen. Antrim's defence also impressed, with Anto Finnegan and goalkeeper Donard Shannon putting in particularly striking performances.

Offaly enjoyed an 0-8 to 0-1 lead at the half-way point, but it could have been much greater had they taken full advantage of the supporting wind. Antrim, meanwhile, were guilty of a litany of wides.

Offaly now lead the division, yesterday's win coming after two-point victories over both Wicklow and Louth in the first two rounds. Westmeath are the only other team with a 100 per cent record, but they have played one game less as their match against Wicklow in Aughrim yesterday was called off.

OFFALY: T Furlong; C Daly, E Egan, J Brady; J Kilmurray, S Grennan, F Cullen (0-1); J Grenan, R Mooney; C Quinn (0-1), J Greene, K Slattery; D Kellaghan (0-3), M Kennaghan (0-1), D Connelly (0-3). Subs: B O'Brien for Slattery, R Malone for Greene, F Dunne for Kellaghan.

ANTRIM: D Shannon; B Elliot, M Mullholland, E McLarmon; G Adams, A Finnegan, P McCann; J Barr, E Quinn; K Brady, S McQuillan, J Quinn (0-1); E McCann, K Madden (0-2), J McManus. Subs: K Anderson for Elliot, D Niplock for Barr, E McKee (0-1) for McManus.

Referee: P Conway (Sligo).