Hurling League Division 1B: Antrim 0-19 2-17 Offaly

Antrim goalkeeper Chrissy O'Connell denies Offaly forward Joe Bergin

Antrim completed a winless Hurling League Division 1B campaign with this defeat by Offaly in Ballycastle.

Shane Dooley netted twice in the opening 15 minutes to help the visitors into a 2-7 to 0-9 lead at half-time.

The gap was also four at the final whistle in Antrim's last game before the relegation play-off with Laois.

If the Saffrons lose that game they can still maintain their Division One status in a promotion/relegation play-off against Westmeath or Kerry.

Dooley scored the opening goal after just 17 seconds on the Antrim coast on Sunday.

Joe Bergin was the creator as Dooley netted again and his two goals proved decisive in the outcome of the game.

Antrim managed to get within four points of Offaly but no closer in what was a comfortable win for the Leinster men.

Neil McManus, Conor Johnston and Michael Bradley were among the scorers for the Saffrons, who have lost all five of their Division 1B matches.

Waterford topped the standings after a six-point win over Wexford and they are promoted to Division 1A.

Antrim: R McGarry; O McFadden, T McCann, T O Ciarain; E McAlonan, R McCambridge, P Shiels; A Graffin, C McKinley; D Hamill, C Carson, M Bradley; C Johnston, C McCann, S McNaughton.

Offaly: J Dempsey; S Wynne, D Shortt, D King; C Parlon, E Murphy, C Egan; E Nolan, S Ryan; J Mulrooney, D Currams, S Cleary; S Kinsella, S Dooley, B Carrroll.

Allianz Hurling League results

Sunday 22 March

Division 1A:

Kilkenny 2-20 2-19 Clare

Cork 4-21 2-28 Tipperary

Dublin 0-26 2-14 Galway

Division 1B:

Wexford 0-16 0-22 Waterford

Limerick 1-25 1-19 Laois

Antrim 0-19 2-17 Offaly

Division 2A:

Kerry 3-17 2-10 London

Westmeath 1-14 1-13 Carlow

Derry 1-8 0-12 Wicklow

Division 2B:

Donegal 3-7 1-13 Kildare

Meath 2-21 0-16 Down

Mayo 0-10 0-23 Armagh

Division 3A:

Fermanagh 0-12 3-13 Monaghan

Tyrone 1-14 1-13 Roscommon

Fingal 2-17 3-14 Louth

Division 3B

Warwickshire 3-18 4-14 Leitrim