By Michael McMullan

SUNDAY’S defeat to Waterford has pushed Antrim hurlers into a battle to avoid the drop to Division Two.

The Saffrons, under the watch of Clare All-Ireland winner Davy Fitzgerald, have won just one of their four games this season.

Beating Westmeath is the only ray, dulled by heavy defeats to Dublin (14 points), Offaly (15) and Fitzgerald’s former charges Waterford (18).

The Saffrons will also be checking when the refixed clash of Laois and Carlow – who they’ve left to play – after weather forced its postponement.

Antrim’s next mission falls this weekend with a trip to Carlow and they’ll be well aware of the Leinster side’s win over Waterford.

While their survival may in fact come to down to the visit of Laois, they must lock their eyes on Sunday and Carlow.

On top of Neil McManus and Conor McCann calling time on inter-county hurling, Paddy Burke and Conal Cunning have been significant absentees through injury.

They’ve missed Ryan McGarry too and have played Niall O’Connor in a pocket of space behind midfield. It may cut out goal chances but it leaves them light tagging on scores the other way.

Eoghan Campbell is a key man at centre-back with the Elliott brothers – Nigel and Seaan – the midfield duo. Keelan Molloy, James McNaughton and Joseph McLaughlin are the scoring outlet in attack.

What will have disappointed Antrim was how they failed to stem Waterford’s ability in the ruck. They did have players coming back from injury, but the Ulster side never really challenged in the game. That will hurt. It has to.

Looking ahead to Sunday, Antrim know what they are getting into. Fiachra Fitzpatrick, Kevin McDonald and Jack McCullagh form a half-back trio they’ve have to unlock.

Marty Kavanagh and Chris Nolan bagged a combined 2-13 in their win over Waterford.

They’ll need tied down. Kavanagh’s accuracy from frees is one half. There is the need for discipline all across the board.

Westmeath have three games left to play but look likely to be sucked into the relegation battle too. It’s a case of three into two doesn’t go.

When Laois pull into Corrigan Park it will be the crunch game. On the other hand, Donegal proved with their win over Kerry that not everything falls the way you’d expect.Antrim have rubbed shoulders with Carlow in the past. This is now. The Saffrons need a response. They’ll hope it is Sunday.