It seems not time since they met in the Ulster U20 final but Antrim Down will cross swords again on Wednesday night at the Dub Arena in round 2 of the Leinster B competition. Last time out Antrim were convincing winners, romping home with eighteen points to spare and will understandably start as red hot favourites, but Mickey McShane and his backroom team will no doubt have told their team to take nothing for granted, The Saffrons were favourites going in against Meath in the Leinster A opener and came up short, as indeed were the senior team against Down in the National Hurling League when the went in as favourites.

The line-up is much the same as the team that won Ulster but Orrin O’Connor is suspended after being desperately unlucky to be sent off in the final seconds of last weekend’s win over Westmeath, while Colla Ward and Fiontan Bardley have apparently left the panel.

A win against Down would put Antrim in a very strong position, following their win over Westmeath on Saturday and a result against either Kerry or Carlow would secure a final place. The Kingdom beat Carlow last weekend and would appear to be the big danger in the competion.

In the mean time Antrim must focus on the meeting with Down and make sure there are no slip ups.

Throw-in at the Dub is 7-30 so get along and give them your support