Kerry will face Antrim in this year's Joe McDonagh Cup final after a highly dramatic conclusion to the round-robin stage.

Antrim were already guaranteed a final place prior to their meeting with the Kingdom at Corrigan Park this afternoon.

The Saffrons fielded a shadow side and were beaten 0-29 to 2-21 by Kerry, who will play in their third successive Joe McDonagh Cup decider next month.

Having lost out narrowly to Offaly last weekend, Stephen Molumphy's side led 0-14 to 0-11 at the turnaround in Belfast.

Offaly were heavily fancied to advance in second place, all they had to do was avoid defeat to Carlow at home, but the Barrowsiders threw a spanner in the works and came away from Tullamore with a surprise 0-22 to 0-17 victory.

Carlow, who needed Antrim to do them a favour by beating Kerry, were 0-8 to 0-10 down at half-time.

It meant that three teams finished on six points and score difference was used to separate them, Kerry progressing by virtue of a +42 return (Carlow +21 and Offaly +9) behind Antrim on eight.

In what was effectively a relegation play-off, Down defeated Meath 2-28 to 2-19 in Ballycran.

The Royals took a slender 0-16 to 2-11 lead into the break at McKenna Park but couldn't go the distance with the Mourne men and have been demoted to the third-tier after five defeats from as many outings.

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