Antrim issued a statement of intent in today’s first round encounter with Kerry in Dunloy.
The Saffrons lowered the colours of the Kingdom on a scoreline of 3-19 to 0-14.
Goals from Ciaran Clarke, Nicky McKeague and Nigel Elliott were vital ingredients in their winning formula.
Clarke’s goal arrived in the 32nd minute and parachuted the hosts into a 1-7 to 0-8 interval lead.
The Kingdom’s cause wasn’t helped by John Buckley’s sending-off early in the second-half and Antrim made their numerical advantage count.
McKeague and Elliott’s three pointers wrapped up the points and the winners now switch their focus to next weekend’s round 2 fixture with Laois in O’Moore Park.
Antrim - R Elliott; S Rooney, J Dillon, P Duffin; P Burke (0-1), C Boyd, M Donnelly; N McManus (0-4f), N McKeague (1-0); J McNaughton (0-2f), R McCambridge (0-1); K Molloy (0-3); C Clarke (1-1), C McCann (0-2), E O'Neill (0-2). Subs: N Elliott (1-0) for J McNaughton, J Maskey (0-1) for E O’Neill, D Kearney (0-1) for N McKeague, D McCloskey for C Clarke, K Rice (0-1) for C McCann.
Kerry - M Stackpoole; J Buckley, J O'Connor, E Murphy; S Weir, B Murphy, T O'Connor (0-1); C Harty (0-1), J Goulding; S Conway (0-10f), M O'Leary (0-2), J Conway; D Goggin, M Boyle, P Boyle. Subs: M Slattery for P Boyle, P Kelly for C Harty, D Carroll for J Conway, G Dooley for J Goulding.
Referee - L Gordon.
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