Meath 2-11 Anrtrim 1-11:For 54 minutes Antrim players seemed to be dazzled by their new lights at Casement Park on Saturday night as Meath established a big lead. The home team's brave fightback came too late as Meath had raced into a commanding 2-11 to 0-6 lead.

Full forward Brian Farrell scored both Meath's goals. After six minutes his lob from the right wing was fumbled to the net by Antrim goalkeeper John Finnucane. Farrell flicked home his second from a cross from Peter Curran, putting Meath ahead by 2-7 to 0-6 in the 41st minute.

Despite recording nine wides, Meath led 1-7 to 0-5 at the break.

Paddy Cunningham began Antrim's fightback with a free-kick in the 54th minute and he added three more with Kevin Niblock also snatching a point to make it 2-11 to 0-11 a minute from time.

Ciarán Close cut the deficit further with an injury-time goal but time ran out for Antrim.

MEATH: G Rogers; B O'Reilly, D Fay, N McKeigue; S Kenny, C King, E Harrington; K Reilly (0-1), A Moyles; P Byrne, B Meade, P Curran (0-1); J Sheridan, B Farrell (2-4, 0-4 frees), C Ward (0-3). Subs: G Geraghty (0-1) for Meade (22), M Ward (0-1) for B O'Reilly (46), R Farrell for Curran (50), N McLaughlin for Sheridan (45),

ANTRIM: J Finnucane; C Brady, P Doherty, N Ward; J Loughrey, G Bell, C McGoldrick; J Quinn (0-1), S McVeigh (0-1); C Lynch, M McCann, A Gallagher; K Niblock (0-1), K Brady, P Cunningham (0-8, five frees). Subs: T Scullion for Ward (33), C Close (1-0) for Lynch (40), P Logan for McVeigh (46), CJ McGourty for Bell (46), P Close for Niblock (64),

Referee: M Hughes (Tyrone).