At Casement Park, Antrim were 1-14 to 2-09 winners over Cavan. The hosts battled back after Cavan made a positive start to this contest, with a David Givney injury-time point helping the visitors take a 1-5 to 0-7 interval lead.

Martin Dunne fired over three first half points for Cavan, while Mark McKeever netted their goal.

Six scorers contributed to Antrim's first half tally with brothers Ryan and Conor Murray on target, while Kevin Niblock, Sean McVeigh, Michael Pollock and Michael Herron also claimed scores.

Cavan moved 1-7 to 0-7 ahead early on the restart, but Antrim took control. Herron pushed the Saffrons ahead, with a Pollock goal giving the hosts a lead they would not relinquish.

Cavan claimed a second goal following a Dunne penalty entering the final quarter, but Antrim continued to work hard.

Frank Dawson's side were reduced to 14 men late on following a straight red card for Sean McVeigh, but the Saffrons managed to hold out for a two-point victory.

Monaghan stormed to a 1-18 to 2-3 triumph over Meath at Clones. Jamie Queeney netted Meath's first goal after sending a low shot past Monaghan goalkeeper Mark Keogh.

However, Monaghan led by 0-7 to 1-2 at the break and further extended their lead on the restart. Conor McManus scored eight points for the winners, six of those from play; while Darren Hughes converted a 47th minute penalty goal as Monaghan won by a 12-point margin.

Roscommon came good after sustaining a strong start by Sligo, as they earned a 1-11 to 1-8 win over their Connacht rivals at Dr. Hyde Park.

Sligo led by 1-3 to 0-2 after just 11 minutes, with Adrian Marren netting a sixth minute goal.

However, Roscommon took a 1-8 to 1-4 interval lead with Donie Smith bagging a penalty goal in injury-time.

Roscommon failed to let up on the restart, with Cathal Cregg among their chief scorers.

Roscommon face Fermanagh next Saturday at Brewster Park. The Ernesiders also got off to a winning start in the league this afternoon with a 1-16 to 0-9 success away to Wicklow.

Fermanagh were assisted by a strong wind in the opening half as they moved 0-11 to 0-3 ahead by the break. Declan McCusker and Ryan Jones were among the first half scorers for the visitors.

Wicklow cut the gap to seven points on the restart but Fermanagh claimed a 1-12 to 0-5 lead following a Shane McCabe goal in the 49th minute.

The hosts battled hard late on, but Fermanagh's good work in the opening half laid the foundations for this first round victory.