Antrim take a first step into the championship arena

By Michael McMullan

GOALS from Niall McKenna and Seaan Elliott shot Antrim to a famous victory over Wexford in last year’s Leinster Championship.

That was then. This is now. Davy Fitzgerald is now at the helm and the Saffrons head to the sunny south east hoping to get their Leinster Hurling Championship campaign off to a winning start.

This weekend is almost 12 months on since the 2-22 to 2-20 Corrigan Park victory and Antrim are coming in on the back of an indifferent league season.

Their defeat to Offaly away left them chasing their tails until late results quashed any relegation fears. A draw with Carlow and victory over Laois did the trick.

They face a Wexford who had victories over All-Ireland champions Clare and John Kiely’s Limerick along the way.

The Saffrons will need big performances from Paddy Burke, Eoghan Campbell and Joe Maskey in the championship.

Ryan McCambridge, Nigel Elliott and Keelan Molloy are all important players in the middle third.

They’ve had to do without the impact of the injured Conall Cunning.

James McNaughton and Conor Johnston have carried most of the scoring threat for the Ulster side.

They’ll have Galway and Kilkenny coming down the tracks with another visit to Offaly later in the competition.

If Antrim could pick up points this weekend it would be a major boost.

They’ll have the belief of last season but it’s a two-way street.

Wexford will remember the feeling of defeat. They’ll be ready and waiting. It’s a important weekend for Antrim.

This fixture won’t define their summer but it will be a marker of its pattern for Fitzgerad’s Saffrons.