Antrim ease relegation fears with big win over Cavan

Antrim fended off a late Cavan charge to grab a huge win at Corrigan Park that eases their relegation fears, while leaving the visitors' promotion hopes on ice.

Cavan needed just a draw to seal back-to-back promotions but for long stages resembled a side who felt they simply had to show up until a crazy final 16 minutes when they burst into life and left Antrim hanging on.

For the home support, there were clear flashbacks of Antrim's defeat to Fermanagh at the same venue three weeks ago when they squandered a big lead to get caught at the last.

They would have had their hearts in their mouths again here, but this time the Saffrons held out to banish those ghosts and also the drubbing in Mullingar a fortnight back.

Andy McEntee would have sought a response from his players and he got it. They owned the ball in the opening exchanges and although the sides swapped early points, a perfect long ball from Eoghan McCabe into Aghagallon's Ruairi McCann on five minutes saw him claim possession and spin Padraig Faulkner to lash home.

Cavan appeared to spark into life with quick-fire points by Paddy Lynch and Cian Madden, but Antrim quickly regained control with points from Marc Jordan and Dominic McEnhill.

Cavan really ought to have pulled that goal deficit back on 21 minutes as Ryan O'Neill got free on the left and squared for the advancing Jack McKenna to palm home, but he couldn't get over the ball as he scooped it over with the goal gaping.

Latest #AllianzLeagues Div3 R6 40mins 2nd Half Aontroim: 1-17(20) An Cabhán: 2-12(18) Aontroim point Paddy McBride who came back on!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/wVUzK9T4OW

McKenna would be denied by the crossbar later in the half as he got to a half-blocked effort, but Antrim were playing the better