NFL DIVISION THREE Antrim 4-6 Cavan 0-12:AN ANTRIM goal-fest shortly after half-time saw Cavan's hopes of a vital win implode at Kingspan Breffni Park. However, Tipperary's win over Offaly ensures the Breffni Blues retain their Division Three status for 2013.

Antrim crashed home a hat-trick of goals in a four-minute spell which left the Breffni men on the cusp of relegation. Cavan trailed 0-5 to 1-4 at the interval after Aodhán Gallagher’s 14th minute goal put the visitors on the front foot. Antrim boss Liam Bradley included six debutants in his starting line-up but it was Cavan who lacked cohesion.

Gallagher netted after latching onto a long delivery from Martin Johnson to put the visitors 1-2 to 0-2 in front.

Cavan’s precarious grasp on their Division Three status loosened considerably when a soft centre was exposed in the most devastating of fashions. James Loughry was the Saffrons’ hero with his 40th and 41st minute goals propelling his side into a 3-4 to 0-6 lead.

Any lingering hope Cavan had of pulling the fat from the fire was extinguished in the 44th minute when Colm Duffin goaled.

Antrim’s Martin Johnson saw red on the hour mark after an off-the ball incident but they still managed to win pulling up.

CAVAN: K Fannin; D Barkey, D Reilly (0-1), R Flanagan; D O'Dowd, P O'Reilly (0-1), R Maloney-Derham; D Givney (0-1), R Cullivan; N Smith, M McKeever, N Murray; B Fitzpatrick, N McDermott (0-1), M Dunne (0-7, 0-5 frees). Subs: S Jordan for D O'Dowd (39 mins), D McKiernan for B Fitzpatrick (39 mins), K Meehan for N Murray (41 mins), S Gaffney (0-1) for R Maloney-Derham (54 mins), B McKiernan for M Dunne (inj, 67 mins).

ANTRIM: W McSorley; T Scullion, J Crozier, K O'Boyle; P Gallagher, M Johnson, D O'Hagan; S McDonagh (0-1), C Murray; T McCann (0-2, frees), M Sweeney, J Loughry (2-2); C Duffin (1-1), A Gallagher (1-0), O Gallagher. Subs: K Brady for C Duffin (57 mins), M Armstrong for O Gallagher (65 mins).

Referee: D Fahy(Longford).