Antrim banked their their first points of the league a 1-14 haul from James McNaughton propelled them to victory over Westmeath at Corrigan Park.
The Loughgiel man was in fine form having carried much of the fight against Dublin in their opening defeat, but he had a fine supporting cast this time as Davy Fitzgerald’s side were much improved and certainly more fluid than eight days ago in Croke Park.
Antrim were much quicker out of the traps with James McNaughton landing the first of his ten first-half scores to settle his side.
He was denied a 13th-minute goal from a penalty when Conor Johnston was fouled as Jack Gillen was equal to his effort, but Westmeath built into this game with David Williams leading their charge.
The hosts seemed to have more answers up top and they opened a six-point gap with Johnston, Eoghan Campbell, Seaan Elliott, Niall McKenna and Niall O’Connor all contributing, but Westmeath remained in touch as Darragh Clinton and Mark Cunningham pointed, yet it was McNaughton with late frees to help Antrim into a 0-15 to 0-10 lead at the break.
The second half was something of a slow burner, but ten minutes in a Westmeath error was ruthlessly punished by McNaughton who gathered, cut in and buried.
Williams continued to keep his side in the hunt with Darragh Clinton also chipping in but, although they got to within six on a few occasions, they got no closer as Antrim gradually pulled further away.
Keelan Molloy found his range with a couple and the Dunloy man set up his clubmate Nigell Elliott for Antrim’s second goal in the 70th minute.
Westmeath goalkeeper Gillen cancelled this out from a 20-metre free almost immediately, but it was a mere consolation as Antrim bank their first points.
Scorers – Antrim: J McNaughton 1-14 (0-12f); N Elliott 1-0; C Johnston, K Molloy, S Elliott, N O’Connor 0-2 each; N McKenna, E Campbell, J Maskey 0-1 each; Westmeath: D Williams 0-12 (10f); G Gillen 1-0 (pen); D Clinton 0-3; P Clarke, E Keyes, R Greville, M Cunningham 0-1 each.
ANTRIM: R Elliott 8; G Walsh 7, P Burke 8, D McCloskey 7; S Walsh 7, E Campbell 7, C Bohill 8; N Elliott 7, N O’Connor 7; P Boyle 6, N McKenna 7, K Molloy 7; S Elliott 7, J McNaughton 9, C Johnston 8.
Subs: J Maskey 7 for S Walsh (57), R McCambridge 7 for N McKenna (60), E O’Neill 7for P Boyle (60), J McLaughlin for P Burke (65), R McGarry for C Bohill (70+1).
WESTMEATH: J Gillen 8; C Gaffney 7, T Doyle 7, G Greville 7; J Bermingham 6, A Craig 7, E Keyes 7; É Cunene 6, P Clarke 6; R Greville 7, D Williams 8, M Cunningham 7; D Clinton 8, O McCabe 6, S Williams 6.
Subs: D McCormack 6 for S Williams (43), R Keyes 6 for E Cunneen (45), M Cunningham 6 for G Greville (58), A Ennis for A Craig (66)
Referee: B Keon (Galway)