National Hurling League Division 1B

Tipperary v Antrim

Sunday, FBD Semple Stadium, 1.45pm

By Shaun Casey

NO matter what happens this weekend, Antrim will be facing into a relegation play-off to fight for their chances of securing a spot in the top tier next season.

Four defeats on the bounce sees the Saffron’s anchored at the bottom of Division 1B, and they’ll take on either Offaly or All-Ireland champions Limerick for the right to remain in the division.

While Antrim sit pointless, their displays against some of the best counties the country has to offer have been encouraging.

They put it up to Kilkenny, lost to Dublin despite hitting 2-15 and were four points off Waterford in round three.

But it’s a cruel, dog eat dog business. Morale victories count for nothing at the foot of the table and Antrim missed a massive chance the last day out.

Before a hurl was swung, the Antrim and Laois clash in round four was always going to be a must win, deciding encounter.

In all likelihood, the winner was safe, and the loser would finish the campaign at the bottom of the table with one last chance to salvage their place.

That’s exactly how it panned out and Darren Gleeson’s side were pipped by the minimum of margins following what was probably their worst performance of the campaign.

Antrim burst out of the traps to lead by three points, but a Paddy Purcell goal pushed Laois into a six-point half time lead.

Neil McManus kept his side in touch with his accuracy from frees and his 62nd minute goal tied the game and it looked like Antrim could steal the two points on offer.

But Cheddar Plunkett’s Laois had enough to get over the line and shade the victory, 1-20 to 1-19.

It was a disappointing day out for Antrim but there’s no time to lick your wounds in an action-packed division.

Attention would have swiftly switched to this weekend’s encounter and the massive test they have in front of them.

While a win on Sunday, away to Tipperary, means nothing in terms of the league table, for Antrim anyway, they’ll be targeting a strong finish to the league campaign and hoping to build some confidence and momentum ahead of the playoffs.

Tipp can still reach the last four of the competition, so Antrim know they will be up against it. They have proved they can compete at this level but a win against one of the big hitters would mean so much coming into the business end of the season.