By Shaun Casey

ANTRIM begin their Tailteann Cup campaign with a difficult away trip to Westmeath on Sunday afternoon. The Saffrons are hoping to reach at least the last four of the competition for the third year running.

Westmeath of course were the maiden winners of the Tailteann Cup back in 2022.

They beat Cavan in the decider that season and now they’re managed by a Breffni Blue native, with Dermot McCabe in charge of the Lake County.

Both counties were relegated from their respective league, with Andy McEntee’s side sinking to the basement division while Westmeath harshly dropped out of Division Two after just one season.

But both bounced back in the championship and showed in the provincials that they have enough quality to go deep into this competition. That is what will drive Antrim forward in the next weeks and months.

Their performance against All-Ireland champions Armagh, at Corrigan Park, was sensational. Certainly, for the first half anyway. They played with a passion and a physicality that saw them lead Kieran McGeeney’s men at the interval.

Eventually, Armagh came good and proved too powerful after the turnaround, but Antrim showed for long periods that they can live with one of the best teams around. They just need to back it up now.

That day, Patrick McBride was outstanding. He’s been a loyal foot soldier for years in the Saffron jersey and the St John’s man looks absolutely tailormade for the new two-point arc, kicking three against Armagh.

Ryan McQuillan, Ruairi McCann and Dominic McEnhill form as good a full forward line as you are likely to see at this level. Michael Byrne is probably one of the most underrated goalkeepers in the land but his shot stopping ability and range of kicking is key for Antrim.

Kavan Keenan is as game as you like in defence while Eoghan McCabe, skipper Dermot McAleese and Marc Jordan are all brilliant triers. Then they have the impact off the bench in the form of Ryan Murray, who has a wand of a left foot.

Westmeath could, and possibly should, have reached the last four of the Leinster Championship but their involvement was halted by Kildare. Like Antrim, their display earned them plenty of plaudits even in defeat.

The impressive Luke Loughlin top scored on the night with 0-11, 0-6 of that tally coming from open play. Ray Connellan is the star man around the middle of the field while Ronan Wallace mans the defence for the men in maroon.

Westmeath were fiercely competitive in the All-Ireland series over the last two seasons, but didn’t pick up the points necessary to qualify out of the groups. They’ll have their eyes set on a long and enjoyable summer in the Tailteann Cup.

While it’s only round one, this is as tough a game as Antrim could face in the competition. They have ties with Limerick and London coming up and a win here would set them up brilliantly for a tilt at the title.