Fitzgerald's Antrim suffer heavy Dublin loss at Croke Park

The Davy Fitzgerald era in Antrim hurling got off to a slow start as they were outclassed by an assured Dublin at Croke Park on Saturday in the Division 1B opener, going down by 1-25 to 0-14.

The Dubs have had Antrim's number since their renaissance of recent times, but despite the change of scenery from Parnell Park, it was a familiar outcome.

Cian O'Sullivan led the way with 14 points, while Conal O Riain grabbed an early goal which set them on their way.

Antrim made a decent enough start but they lost their way in attack with a poor enough return in which James McNaughton grabbed nine of their scores.

With Antrim's new manager - who was suspended from the sideline for the game - seeking a different approach in their play, there were early warning signs that players were not fully in tune as the gaps appeared for the hosts quickly.

This was exemplified by O Riain's goal which came from a long ball into the corner where debutant Iain O hEithir was not tracked when pushing up from the back and his crisp ball was taken in stride by Conal O Riain who cracked home.

That made it 1-5 to 0-3 and while Antrim rallied well with three McNaughton scores, O'Sullivan was dead-eyed at the other end and had assistance from Dara Purcell and O Riain as the Dubs took a 1-14 to 0-9 lead into the break.

It was a long way back for Antrim and five of the first six scores of the second half put it beyond them with Niall McKenna offering some resistance for the visitors.

The game completely fizzled out in the final quarter but Dublin substitutes Cillian Hayes and Diarmaid O Dulaing got in on the act as they claimed a comprehensive win.