Antrim must look to finish on a high

AFTER victory in London, Antrim welcome Westmeath to Corrigan Park on Saturday with eyes on back-to-back wins.

An unlikely set of circumstances – on both fronts – that would see Davy Fitzgerald’s side relegated or book a spot in the final.

The Saffrons will be fancied to win at home this Saturday with eyes then set on Carlow the following weekend.

London would need to take three points from their final games against Carlow (A) and Laois (H) to pull Antrim back into the relegation mire.

The build-up to Antrim’s trip to London was dominated by the uncertainty around the camp following their decision not to train after musings that Fitzgerald had been asked to step down.

Derry manager calling for another dose of character and honesty

What was definitive was Antrim’s need to win last weekend, by hook or by crook.

They ticked that box thanks to a combined 1-12 from Dunloy duo Seaan Elliott and Conall Cunning.

Antrim were 10 points clear but London’s eye for goal saw last season’s Christy Ring Cup champions led to a tight finish.

Three points each from Keelan Molloy and James McNaughton added to Antrim’s attacking game in London.

With the unthinkable relegation cloud now having subsided, Antrim can start to look up the table.

They’ll need to beat both Westmeath and Carlow to keep their end of the bargain. Only then can they begin to look around.

Down take on Laois this weekend in another game that will dictate the direction the group will take.

Antrim’s hurlers can take a lesson from the footballers who won their remaining four league games to give them an outside chance of promotion.

After a season that has been difficult on all fronts, Antrim can take their future into their own hands by beating Westmeath on Sunday. It will be a start.