Gleeson’s Antrim still not full strength

National Hurling League Division 2A

Antrim v Mayo

Sunday, Loughgiel, 2pm

Antrim are expected to build upon last weekend’s victory

Antrim have improved on last year’s start to the league.

In 2019, facing pressure to get promoted, they togged out against Kerry in the hope of getting a first win.

However, the Kingdom edged the result, leaving Saffron facing an uphill battle to gain promotion. A one-point win over Meath followed, but defeat to Westmeath ended their hopes of promotion completely.

The fixtures makers have ben kinder this year.

Last weekend, the Saffrons opened their campaign with a win against a Wicklow team who played in Division 2B last year.

Their next match is against a Mayo team which finished second from bottom in division 2A last year.

Antrim played Mayo in round four of last year’s league and hammered them by 5-18 to 0-13, a result which helped to alleviate any concerns about a possible relegation.

After last week’s nine-point result against Wicklow it would seem fair that Antrim could follow that up with another big win.

Mayo were well beaten by Kerry last weekend, and that would suggest that they perhaps are at a similar level as they were last season.

Of course, Antrim aren’t going to take anything for granted and no doubt Darren Gleeson will be looking for an improved performance this weekend.

Gleeson confirmed to Gaelic Life that there are a number of absentees for this weekend’s game. Keelan Molloy is sick, while Martin Burke, Conal Cunning, and Ciaran Clarke definitely won’t be available.

Conor Johnston was brought on as a sub against Wicklow but he is very doubtful to play this weekend.

There’s better news for Joe Maskey, Conor McCann and David Kearney will be available for selection.

There are four Antrim players involved in the Ryan Cup hurling for University of Ulster this week, Ryan Elliott, Aodhan O’Brien, Conor McHugh and Ryan McGarry. How they come through that game will be important.

Perhaps one of the issues for Antrim is their scoring returns. Last weekend they had eight different scorers, but only three players hit more than one point.

Neil McManus remains their key score taker, but for the Saffrons to challenge stronger teams they need more threats across the field.

The absence of Nigel Elliott has been keenly felt on the team though. But the return of Conor McCann should provide another scoring outlet.

Darren Gleeson’s analysis after the game was that the performance was workmanlike against Wicklow, which isn’t always a compliment.

The conditions were far from conducive to good hurling though, and with better ground should come better performances.

James McNaughton was not his usual productive self, and only socored the single point. Likewise Niall McKenna chipped in with just one point. He should be good for a few more scores.

One of the big positives was the introduction of Gerard Walsh in the half back line as he got forward for two scores.

Likewise, Daniel McCloskey hit two from corner forward.

The expectation is that Antrim would deliver a better performance this weekend and take another step closer to promotion up to division 1B.