So after the optimism of last weekend's home win over Westmeath, Antrim suffered another chastening defeat on the road today.

They were outclassed. There is no other way to put it.

Davy Fitzgerald now has the task of raising the morale of his players for the home tussle in two weeks against a Waterford side most reckoned as odds-on promotion favourites before the action started last month.

Granted Waterford then lost their opener to Carlow but they opened their account by beating Laois 1-27 to 0-20 today.

So it's going to be tough against the Deise in Corrigan Park before the Saffrons' final two games against Carlow (away) and Laois (home).

You can further pour over the entrails of today's contest by taking a look at our match report which has just been published.

Thanks for your company today.

Antrim grab a couple of late scores but they can't mask how disappointing an afternoon it has been for them as Offaly were well out of sight long before the whistle.

The Faithful remain unbeaten in 1B at the midway stage and they will be feeling good about making a charge for promotion, while Antrim must now figure out how to bounce back from another nightmare on the road.

Image source, Inpho

Joe Maskey points as we enter three minutes of added time.

Duignan and McNaughton swap frees.

Into the final five minutes and you'd feel Antrim can't wait to hear the final whistle at this stage as Duignan slots another.

James McNaughton and Sam Bourke trade.

Keelan Molloy with a good point out on the right and a McNaughton free makes it back-to-back scores for the first time in the second period for the Saffrons.

The rot temporarily stopped for Antrim as Scott Walsh lands but Charlie Mitchell hits straight back.

Duignan has goal on as he spins away from Conor Boyd but opts to drill over.

Brian Duignan is automatic from frees today and he grabs his ninth.

Elliott can do nothing about the points, however, and Killian Sampson grabs his fourth.

Nigel Elliott the latest into the book for a high challenge.

This could be very ugly for Antrim now but for goalkeeper Ryan Elliott, who again makes a superb save with Oisin Kelly this time denied.

Charlie Mitchell lands his third of the game as Antrim make their fourth sub with Eoin O'Neill in for Paul Boyle.

McNaughton with his fifth of the day for Antrim but already they need much more.

Duignan with another couple of frees to bring his tally to eight for the day.

Oisín Kelly drills over, which ensures all of Offaly's starting forwards are on the board. ´

Ross Ravenhill replies for the hosts.

Antrim threaten early in the second half but Mark Troy thwarts Paul Boyle. Offaly's Ciaran Burke picks up a yellow and James McNaughton lands the 65.

Another Antrim sub to note at the break is Conor Boyd in for Declan McCloskey.

We are back underway at O'Connor Park where Antrim have a bit of a mountain to climb after a nightmare finish to the opening period.

They have the elements in their favour and Ryan McCambridge has been introduced for Niall McKenna at the break.