National Hurling League Division One  play-off

Antrim v Offaly

Saturday, Pairc Tailteann, 3pm

By Shaun Casey

FOR a few weeks now, the Saffrons have known that this weekend’s clash against Offaly was going to define their season.

This game couldn’t be bigger for both sides, with the prize on offer a spot in the top tier next season.

Antrim and Offaly had identical campaigns, finishing bottom of their respective league tables with five loses from five outings.

Antrim knew their fate before the final round of fixtures, while Offaly still had a glimmer of hope heading into their clash against All-Ireland champions Limerick.

John Kiely’s men had little sympathy for the Faithful County and powered past Offaly, 4-29 to 0-17, to keep their topflight status in check.

Antrim suffered a similar thrashing as Tipperary shot seven goals past them in their 7-29 to 1-17 defeat in Semple Stadium.

The Premier County rattled off five major’s before the half time whistle sounded and the game was over as a contest at the break.

Antrim actually started brightly with James McNaughton claiming a brace, but then came the Tipperary onslaught.

The 30-point defeat was the only bad beating that Darren Gleeson’s side suffered, as they have been hugely competitive throughout the campaign.

But their round four loss to Laois, in a game they’ll feel they could have won, signalled a relegation playoff.

Antrim have shown they can compete in the top tier over the last two seasons, but all their hard work will be undone if they suffer defeat this weekend.

Offaly’s outings haven’t been as good, however. Galway were 17 points better off, Cork 19, and Clare handed them a 16-point drumming in round three.

They managed to close the
gap against Wexford, with seven
the difference in the end, but Limerick dished out their biggest defeat of
all.

A worrying stat from an Offaly perspective is their concession of goals. Every team they have faced, with the exception of Wexford, has fired four past them.

Antrim will surely have been keeping note and if their forwards are on form, they can rack up a few three-pointers.

Offaly are only up amongst the big hitters this season, having topped the table and won Division Two impressively last year, with five wins from five games.

It would be detrimental to their development to fall straight back down at the first time of asking, and Antrim are in the exact same situation.

That should make for an entertaining, winner takes all clash in Páirc Tailteann, Navan on Saturday afternoon.