Three-goal Gill helps Wicklow to win

In Mick O'Dwyer's first league game at the helm, the Garden County recorded only their second victory in the competition since last March as the diminutive Gill stood out at right corner forward.

Keith Byrne got the ball rolling for the home side, firing in a 15th-minute goal. Gill scored all three of his goals in the second half against a Saffrons side that relied largely on Paddy Cunningham, who kicked 0-06.

Chris Lynch landed a consolation goal for the visitors right at the death, but there was no denying O'Dwyer his third win in four games with Wicklow.

Antrim were still in with a chance at the break, living with a deficit of 1-5 to 0-6, but Wicklow's excellent start to the second half saw them blown away.

Rathnew clubman Gill, who missed the O'Byrne Cup semi-final against Dublin through injury, grabbed two goals in the space of two minutes.

He right-footed home the first and punched the second to the net after a good set-up by full-forward Paul Earls.

Wicklow soon opened up a 4-7 to 0-7 lead, and the game was slipping from the Saffrons' grasp. A red card for the hosts' full-back Dara Ó hAnnaidh, for his second bookable offence, meant they had to play the last 10 minutes with 14 men.

At Ardfinnan, Tipperary and Sligo shared the spoils in a 1-12 to 0-15 draw. The sides were locked on 0-6 apiece at the break. Sligo nipped ahead and it took a goal from Hugh Coughlan and a late point from Declan Browne to get Tipp back on terms.

Waterford had four points to spare over Wexford in Dungarvan, while on Saturday night Nobber clubman Brian Farrell struck a late goal as Meath salvaged a 2-07 to 0-13 draw against neighbours Cavan in the National League's Division 2B.

Full-forward Farrell netted in injury time to deny Cavan in what was former player Colm Coyle's first league game in charge of the Royals.

Despite having Jonathan Crowe dismissed after only five minutes' play in Navan, with the left half-back banished to the sidelines for striking an opponent, Cavan dominated the opening half.

Former Fermanagh player Rory Gallagher impressed at full forward for the Breffni men, combining well with established stars Seanie Johnston and Gerald Pierson.

The hosts were trailing 0-07 to 0-02 but a goal on the stroke of half time from Brian Meade played them back into contention.