The Antrim hurling leagues get underway on Sunday with a full programme from Division 1 right down to the newly formed Division 4.

With several of the Senior Reserve teams complaining about a lack of regular matches some of them have joined Division 2 to make sure they get enough games this season. A few of the Division 2 club’s I spoke with are not too keen on the idea, saying that too many of the clubs are able to manipulate the fixtures to make sure they have full use of their best players in these games.

DIVISION 1

Division 1 gets underway on Sunday at 2pm when Portaferry host Dunloy Cuchullains, but the other two games in the top division don’t start until 4 when St John’s host county champions Cushendall at Corrigan Park, Rossa have Ballycaste as visitors to Shaw’s Road and Loughgiel have a home tie against St Enda’s at Fr Healy Park, this one starting at 4-30

DIVISION 2

All but one of the eight Division 2 games get underway at 2pm when St Gall’s host Cloney Gaels at the Bog Meadows, Creggan are at home to Ulster Intermediate Champions Carey Faughs, while Tir na nOg take on Oisins Glenariffe at Whitehill. St Paul’s host Cushendun Emmet’s at Shaw’s Road while Loughgiel Shamrocks 2nds have Bredagh as visitors to Fr Healy Park. Sarsfields have Carryduff visiting the Bear Pit while St Brigid’s Cloughmills have a home tie against Glenarm. The final game in this division starts at 4 when St Paul’s 2nds take on Loch Mor Dal Chais.

DIVISION 3

2 pm is also the start time for the five Division 3 fixtures which sees Davitt’s take on Dunloy 2nds, Glenrovers Armoy face Ruairi Og seconds 2nds,  Gort na Mona’s welcome Con Magees Glenravel to Enright Park while in the last game in the division Lamh Dhearg take on visitors Ballycastle 2nds.

DIVISION 4

In Division 4 All Saints Ballymena are at home to St Brigid’s, Belfast, Belfast Saints face Ardoyne in a Belfast derby while Rossa 2nds face Glenarm 2nds at Rossa Park.