A storming third-quarter performance elevated Meath to an anticipated but battling Tailteann Cup semi-final win, securing the Royals a return to Croke Park for the 15 July final.

Jordan Morris led the scoring again for Colm O'Rourke's side with 1-04 while Aaron Lynch hit the net for the second weekend running and finished with 1-02.

It was a scoring blitz of 1-07 without response during the third quarter of the game which propelled Meath to their fifth consecutive win in the competition.

They will be back at Croke Park in mid-July for a final clash with Down or Laois who meet in the second semi-final this afternoon.

Dunshaughlin's Mathew Costello was named Man of the Match and used the platform of his post-match interview to express sympathy with the local Kealy family following the death of Denis Kealy, a former Dunshaughlin and Meath player, yesterday.

It was a strange occasion for Antrim manager Andy McEntee, who managed Meath for six seasons until last summer, and he watched his side put in a strong revival in the close quarter to reduce the gap to the minimum at one stage.

But late Meath points from Costello and Morris ultimately proved the insurance scores.

Antrim reached the last four having already scored 10 goals in the Championship, nine in the Tailteann Cup and another against Armagh in Ulster.

They also cracked in 10 during the National League and had a clear point of attack in towering target man Ruairi McCann from the St Mary's club.

The powerful full-forward sprung to life in the 24th minute when he was fouled by Harry O'Higgins for an Antrim penalty that McEnhill dispatched.

Dominic McEnhill finished the opening half with 1-02 to his credit as the Saffrons took a narrow 1-07 to 1-06 lead into the interval.

Centre-forward Adam Loughran booted two eye-catching points and goalkeeper Michael Byrne went to kick a couple of points from a free and a '45.

Byrne also pulled off a terrific save from Meath full-forward Costello in the 30th minute.

The Royals did hit the net in the 12th minute when Lynch, who initially boomed a high wasteful kick into the danger area, got lucky with the breaking ball and capitalised when fed by Jack O'Connor.

Lynch, who also netted against Wexford last weekend, finished the half with 1-02 but it was an underwhelming start overall from the favourites.

And they slipped two behind when McCann plucked a ball from the air and converted a mark after the restart.

That was followed by a wide from Meath's James McEntee, his second on an afternoon the Curraha man was facing his uncle on the sideline.

Suddenly, it was looking like it was going to be a difficult day for Meath at GAA Headquarters.

From that point of difficulty, Meath summoned their very best form over the next 20 minutes or so to rack up 1-07 without response.

Morris fired Meath's second goal in the 42nd minute when he capitalised on a ball in from Jack Flynn which was meant for McEntee but which broke kindly.

McEntee, Cathal Hickey and Morris added on points to leave the Division 2 outfit with a commanding 2-13 to 1-08 lead entering the final quarter.

It should have been enough to allow them to coast to victory but Antrim dug deep and reduced it to a one-point game with a stunning late showing.

Patrick McBride's 62nd minute goal ignited the northerners while Dermot McAleese struck two important points but they couldn't reel in the Royals.

Meath: Sean Brennan; Adam O'Neill, Ronan Ryan, Harry O'Higgins; Donal Keogan, Padraic Harnan, Sean Coffey; Jack Flynn (0-02), Conor Gray (0-01); Jack O'Connor (0-01), James McEntee (0-01), Cathal Hickey (0-01); Jordan Morris (1-04), Mathew Costello (0-04, 0-01f), Aaron Lynch (1-02, 0-01m).

Subs: Ciaran Caulfield for O'Higgins h/t, Donal Lenihan for McEntee 51, Cillian O'Sullivan for Lynch 53, Daithi McGowan for O'Connor 55, Ronan Jones for Hickey 65.

Antrim: Michael Byrne (0-02, 0-01f, 0-01 45); Ronan Boyle, Peter Healy, Eoghan McCabe; Patrick McCormick, Declan Lynch, Dermot McAleese (0-02); Cathal Hynds, Joseph Finnegan; Ruairi McCann (Creggan) (0-1), Adam Loughran (0-03), Marc Jordan; Patrick McBride (1-01), Ruairi McCann (Aghagallon) (0-01), Dominic McEnhill (1-03, 1-00pen, 0-02f).

Subs: Gerard Walsh for Healy 16, Eunan Quinn for Finnegan 52, Conhuir Johnston for McCann (Creggan) 62, Colm McLarnon for McBride 63, Odhran Eastwood (0-01) for Loughran 72.

Referee: Barry Judge (Sligo)