Tiernan Smyth will make his debut in goals for Antrim in Sunday’s National Hurling League Division 1B game against Waterford at Fraher Field, Dungravan. The Ballycastle clubman has just joined the senior panel this year and gets the nod this time out, while there is one change on the full back line of the team that faced Dublin last time out at Parnell Park.

Stephen Rooney comes in at corner back instead for Phelim Duffin, (although in the opposite corner) with Paddy Walsh moving back to right back and Ryan McGarry continuing on the edge of the ‘square’.

The half back line against Dublin is maintained in its entirety with Gerard Wash on the right, team captain Eoghan Campbell in the centre and Conal Bohill on the left.

Michael Bradley maintains his position at midfield where he is joined by Paul Boyle, who comes in for his first start. The Loughgiel man came on as a sub against the Dubs but has been chosen from the start this time around, taking Keelan Molloy’s place as the Dunloy man switches to left half forward. Niall McKenna move in to the 40 after starting on the wing last time out while Neill McManus is on the right of that line, just as he was in Dublin.

Conor Johnston, who started on the edge of the square against Dublin, is out through injury and so James Naughton moves in to his position from centre forward, while the two corner forwards are the Dunloy duo of Conal Cunning and Seaan Elliott, just as they were the last time out.

A tough encounter lies ahead for the boys in Saffron, and with a throw in time of 1pm there won’t be too many Antrim fans making the journey down.