It could be said that Antrim are confronting Dublin at a time when hurling euphoria in the Leinster county is at a peak.
The Na Fianna team’s triumph in last weekend’s All-Ireland Club Final has sparked the belief that the sport is now destined to take further steps forward and this could begin today against an Antrim side that are particularly keen to build on last year’s progress.
But they are certainly taking nothing for granted against their hosts on Saturday. The retirement of Neil McManus and the absence of other familiar faces means the Saffrons will strive to pull out all the stops in a bid to launch their League campaign.
In this connection they can look to players such as Paddy Burke, Eoin Campbell, Conor Johnston and Nigel Elliott to fire up their challenge. With Ryan Elliott a capable last line of defence, the Ulster side will be keen to restrict the Dubs’ scoring machinery.
But at the other end of the park James McNaughton in particular can blossom should he be plied with possession, something that new manager Davy Fitzgerald is keen to see happen. Fitzgerald has lifted Antrim’s spirits, instilled a new inner belief in the side and called for “a supreme effort” against their hosts.
Down, meanwhile, will be keen to hit the ground running against Kildare in what is an attractive Division Two tie. The Down team is not short on talent with Caolan Taggart, Matt Conlon, Daithi Sands, Tom McGrattan, Eoin Sands and Finn Turpin set to spur the side to an opening victory.
And Derry will travel to face Tyrone with some degree of confidence given the quality they have in their line-up. Dual players Cormac O’Doherty and Ruairi O’Mianain will be very much to the fore alongside Corey O’Reilly, Richie Mullan and Meehaul McGrath as the Oak Leaf outfit bid to get off the mark in style.
Fermanagh, meanwhile, will be particularly keen to get out of the traps quickly against Louth in Division Four. Manager Joe Baldwin is particularly keen to see Francie McBride back in the Erne county line-up alongside such players as Conor McShea, Cahir McManus, Darren Gallagher and Peter Fortune.
Cavan face a tricky assignment away to Mayo and will lean on talented young players to do the business.