The Antrim fans left Corrigan Park last Saturday with mixed feelings after drawing with Dublin, who earned themselves a share of the points due to a point deep in injury time. There was great disappointment at conceding that late score, after leading for the majority of the game, but also a sense of relief when you thought back on the opportunities that the Dubs missed through the game.

Seaan Elliott moves out to midfield in Saturday’s team to face Wexford

The Saffrons looked set to take the win the game when they went six points clear early in the second half, despite facing a stiff breeze, but they lost their way a little as Dublin took control around the middle of the field. Antrim could not win a ball in middle third as Dublin clawed their way back. When they visitors hit the front with just ten minutes to go it looked like was going to be the same old story, but the men in Saffron showed great character to battle back. When substitute Paul Boyle put them ahead in injury time we all held our breath, hoping they could hold on, but it wasn’t to be and O’Sullivan’s late point meant it ended all square.

We all knew going into this Leinster campaign that the nature of these physically punishing games would most likely take its toll on the Antrim team and so it has proved when Nigel Elliott went off early with a foot injury, an injury that will probably keep the Dunloy ace out of action for the remainder of the campaign.

Gerard Walsh once again plays in the half back line

With Niall McKenna already out through injury Antrim are robbed of two ball winners in the half forward line. When excellent midfielder Michael Bradly went down injured in the final minute at Corrigan last week, it looked like he would join the casualty list as well, but the Johnnies midfield star has been named on the starting team for Wexford Park. In fact there is only one personnel change in Saturday’s line up with Joe Maskey coming in for the injured Elliott. The defence is the same as started last week, when all of them showed well, but there is a positional switch at midfield where Seaan Elliott comes out to join Bradley. James McNaughton, who started alongside Bradley against Dublin move out to the left half forward position, while Maskey is on the forty and Keelan Molloy on the right. Last week’s full forward line of Conal Cunning, Neill McManus and Conor Johnston remains the same as last week.

James Mcnaughton moves from midfield to wing forward

Playing away from home is a hard task for any team and Saturday’s game will be no different. Wexford are formidable opponents, who will start as firm favourites, despite last week’s defeat to Galway. However if Antrim show the fight, determination and skill they displayed last week they are more that capable of getting something out of this game and give manager Daren Gleeson the bragging rights over his good friend Darragh Egan.