A week after Galway inflicted a 26-point hammering of the Saffons in Belfast, Antrim were thumped by Davy Fitzgerald's Waterford in his debut as manager.

Eoin Kelly and John Mullane scored a brace of goals each in the first half at Walsh Park to help Waterford to a healthy 4-6 to 0-11 lead at the interval.

The Munster side coasted clear in the second half with goals from Stephen Molumphy and Gary Hurney.

"Whether you won by 20 points or won by two, you weren't going to be a winner, whatever the story was," Fitzgerald said afterwards.

"I'm just happy that the lads got out there and got a game. Hopefully that will remove the stick they've been getting."

Waterford: C Hennessy; E Murphy, K McGrath, D Prendergast; S O'Sullivan, T Browne, J Kennedy; M Walsh, D Bennett (0-1, free); E Kelly (2-3, 0-2 frees), G Hurney (1-0), S Molumphy (1-0); E McGrath (0-5), D Shanahan (0-4), J Mullane (2-2) Subs B Phelan for Browne, 54 mins; J Nagle (0-2) for Bennett, 54 mins; P Flynn (0-1) for Hurney, 59 mins; T Feeney and R Foley for Prendergast and Walsh, 65 mins

Antrim: R McGarry; A Graffin, C Donnelly, J McKeague; C Herron (0-1), K McKeegan, J Campbell (0-1); PJ O'Connell (0-2), E McCloskey; M Herron, K Stewart (0-3, 0-2 frees), B Quinn (0-1); S McNaughton (0-1), P Richmond, P Shiels (0-6, 0-4 frees) Subs M McCambridge for McKeague, 20 mins.

Referee: M Haverty (Galway)

l THREE goals from Michael Greaney ensured Monaghan got their Nicky Rackard Cup campaign off to a good start in Omagh with a 3-13 to 3-8 win over Tyrone.

The Farney men, powered by good displays from from David Lavery and Lee Moore ensured the hosts held just a 2-5 to 1-6 interval lead when playing with the wind. Wing-back Gordon Coleman and midfielder Brian Phelan were also solid for Monaghan in the second half. Greaney's accuracy and good scoring from Bernard O'Brien and Stephen Lambe also helped the visitors come from behind for a deserved victory.