THE Saffron hurlers could be a very different proposition this year.

They are up in Division 1B, with very little expected of them, but for manager Darren Gleeson the attitude on the team has changed. He said that the team are confident that they can defy expectations, and at the same time, the Tipperary man says that he has changed his approach as well.

“I learned to use the support of the lads across the backroom team. I learned that I don’t have to go out and do all the jobs. I have a good group of lads around me and they are all well able to do their jobs, I have to give them that responsibility.”

Gleeson was the Antrim coach in 2019 but moved up to take the role of manager when Neal Peden moved on to be director of hurling.

The Tipperary man said that he has changed, but he also believes that the attitude among his team has changed as well, and that they won’t be overawed by the challenge facing them.

“Everyone will be looking at staying up as success. But we are not going out with the attitude that we should be beating A or B and we might have a chance with C. I’d always say to the lads ‘don’t under-sell yourselves’.

“They have to be ambitious and say that they belong at this level. I say ‘let’s go and play at the level we know we can play at.’”

The challenge for Antrim is being ready for a league campaign with just three weeks of collective training under their belts.

Gleeson said: “It is a short run in. We had to take it. All the counties agreed to it.

“We got three weeks, and took the options of the games. The footballers got four weeks and took the option of preparation. We got the option of playing against the top sides.

“I would have preferred the four week run in. If you look at the team we have we have a few boys struggling with injuries. We would have liked a bit more time.

“But if you take it geographically, I think it would have taken away some of the opportunity for us to test ourselves. Clare, Wexford and Kilkenny would have been out.”

Antrim have eight new players in the panel.

“It is great having that competition for places and we always want to freshen things up. I am delighted that we have been able to play players from 12 different clubs.”

One of the names on the panel is Dunloy rising star Seann Elliott. Unfortunately Elliott has a broken hand and will miss the early part of the season.

A deeper panel brings options, but it also provides cover for a season that should be intense with many matches coming back to back.

Last year, the issue was different, as the season was broken up.

Gleeson said: “Last season ran from November 2019 to December 2020. It is an awful long time for players to stay tuned in. It was a huge achievement for them to do that.

“It is good to be back in action. We have enjoyed the last few days. We have put in some sessions over the past few weeks.

“The players have been doing their work.”

They open their season this weekend against Clare, one of the toughest opponents in Division 1B.

“It is a huge challenge,” Gleeson said. “But they are all huge challenges. I don’t think any of the counties are going to give you any easy games. We have to attack every game and give a performance.”

Antrim panel: 

Aaron Crawford, Ryan Elliott, Eoin O’Neill, Phelim Duf fin, Keelan Molloy, Nicky McKeague, Ryan McGarry, Seaan Elliott, Conal Cunning (Dunloy); Conal Bohill, Shea Shannon, Conor Johnston, Ciaran Johnston, Domhnall Nugent, Michael Bradley, Peter McCallin (St John’s); Neil McManus, Paddy Burke, Eoghan Campbell, Ryan McCambridge (Cushendall), Declan McCloskey, Damon McMullan, James McNaughton, Daniel McCloskey (Loughgiel); Aodhán O’Brien, Gerard Walsh (Rossa); Conor McHugh, Niall McCormack (Cushendun); Matthew Donnelly, Ciaran Clarke (Ballycastle), Joe Maskey, Niall O’Connor (Naomh Eanna); Conor McCann (Creggan), Niall McKenna (Sarsfields); Stephen Rooney (St Paul’s); Paul McMullan (Oisin’s).