Dublin 0-22 Antrim 0-15

Walsh Cup champions Antrim were brought crashing down to earth at Parnell Park this afternoon by a Stuart Mullen-inspired Dublin.

Mullen, the St Oliver Plunkett's/Eoghan Ruadh clubman, struck 0-12 as the Dubs began their NHL Division 1A campaign on a winning note.

The hosts motored into a 0-10 to 0-05 lead, 28 minutes in, with Joey Boland, Kevin Flynn, Mullen and former football panellist David O’Callaghan notching some impressive scores.

Liam Watson and Paddy McGill kept Antrim in touch as they trailed by 0-12 to 0-07 at the break.

Both sides pressed for a goal but an O'Callaghan shot was saved by Ryan McGarry, while Dublin goalkeeper Gary Maguire kept the Saffrons at bay at the other end.

Mullen was a late replacement for the injured Alan McCrabbe, but he certainly proved his worth as he helped the Dubs move into an early 0-03 to 0-01 lead with Antrim struggling to settle.

Although the sides were level on three occasions inside the opening 13 minutes, Mullen subsequently scored from all angles as the hosts outscored Antrim by seven points to one during a fantastic spell for Tommy Naughton's men.

But late points from Watson and Simon McCrory had Antrim back within five points just before the interval.

Dublin dominated possession at midfield in the opening half, and defensively they gathered the ball well with Stephen Hiney and Tomas Brady both standing out.

The introduction of Michael McCambridge and Donal McNaughton at half-time, and subsequent roles for Michael Kettle and Darren Hamill, brought some fresh blood into the Antrim line-up and livened up the second half.

However, Dublin could not have asked for a better start with five of the first six points coming their way, and they suddenly had opened up a nine-point gap.

Despite this, Antrim came back strongly mainly thanks to the free-taking of Watson, although there were good points from play also by midfielders Neil McManus and minor Eddie McCloskey - reducing the margin to five points again with 14 minutes remaining.

This was an all-round encouraging display from a keen Dublin side, although Antrim had some good goal chances, including a Cormac Donnelly shot in the 64th-minute.

His effort was blocked twice by corner-back Philip Brennan and Dublin were able to see out the win without too much discomfort, ahead of their mouth-watering trip to All-Ireland champions Kilkenny next Sunday.

Dublin: G Maguire; P Brennan, S Hiney, P Bergin; M Carton, T Brady, K Ryan; J McCaffery, S Mullen (0-12, 0-08f, 2 '65'); J Boland (0-01), D Qualter (0-02), K Flynn (0-01); D O'Callaghan (0-03), P O'Driscoll (0-01), R O'Carroll (0-02).

Subs used: S Lambert for K Ryan (28 mins), P Ryan for Flynn (51).

Antrim: R McGarry; A Graffin, N McGarry, S Delargy; C Herron, K McKeegan, K Elliott; N McManus (0-02), E McCloskey (0-01); M Magill, L Watson (0-09, 0-5f, 2 '65'), P McGill (0-02); K Stewart, C Donnelly, S McCrory (0-02).

Subs used: M McCambridge for Elliott, D McNaughton for McGill (both half-time), M Kettle for Herron (50 mins), D Hamill for McCloskey (51).

Referee: James McGrath (Westmeath)