ANTRIM NEEDED EXTRA-time to see off Carlow in a thrilling Christy Ring Cup opener at Netwatch Cullen Park.
Neil McManus posted 1-13 as the Ulstermen ran out 3-20 to 2-22 winners.
Marty Kavanagh and Niall McKenna traded goals in the opening half as Antrim trailed by four points at the interval.
Kavanagh bagged another three-pointer in after the restart while Ciaran Clarke hit the net for the Ulster champions as the sides finished on 2-16 apiece after normal-time.
Denis Murphy finished with 0-16 for Carlow but it wasn’t quite enough as Antrim edged it during extra-time.
Eoghan Sands scored a crucial second-half goal as Down ran out 2-24 to 1-20 winners over Roscommon, while Kildare survived a second-half fightback by Mayo to win 0-17 to 0-16.
It all means that Antrim, Down and Kildare qualify for the winners’ section of the competition.
In the opening round of the Nicky Rackard Cup, Donegal achieved their first victory over Armagh in 17 years. David Flynn goaled for Donegal in the 1-19 to 0-13 win against the beaten Ulster SHC finalists.
Lorcan Devlin’s late winner gave Tyrone a 2-11 to 0-16 win over Monaghan, while Ulster Shield champions Derrysaw off Louth on a scoreline of 2-17 to 1-11.
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