Antrim got their Joe McDonagh Cup campaign off to a winning start, holding on for a hard-fought 1-22 to 4-9 victory over London at Ruislip. After a rocky few weeks following their defeat to Laois, the Saffrons eased relegation fears with a gritty performance, leaving the Exiles at the bottom of the table.

It was a test of nerves for Davy Fitzgerald's side, who looked in control when leading by nine points with just 10 minutes remaining. But London mounted a spirited comeback, firing in three late goals to make it a tense finish. The hosts' hopes took a hit when Padraig Muldoon was sent off for a second booking, and James McNaughton's pointed free finally sealed the win for Antrim.

The first half was a tight affair, with Seaan Elliott landing half of Antrim's 10 points and Ronan McGrady notching four for London. Still, Antrim held a 0-10 to 0-7 lead at the break, thanks to scores from Conal Cunning (two), Keelan Molloy, Conor Johnston, and Conall Bohill.

Paul Boyle stretched Antrim's lead early in the second half, but London hit back with a goal from Paul Kennedy, and a McGrady free leveled the scores. Antrim responded with three unanswered points, and after Sean Glynn pulled one back for London, Conal Cunning found the net to spark a four-point run that put the visitors nine ahead.

Glynn struck again for London's second goal, but points from Jack McCloskey, Molloy, and McNaughton seemed to settle Antrim's nerves. However, goals from Jack Morrissey and Conor Byrne in added time cut the gap to three, setting up a frantic finish. Muldoon's second yellow card proved costly for London, as McNaughton punished it from the free to secure a badly-needed win for Antrim.