By Michael McMullan

ANTRIM hurlers have been handed a much-needed boost ahead of Leinster Championship next month with manager Darren Gleeson adding to his panel.

The Saffrons begin their campaign away to Kilkenny on Sunday, April 21 before welcoming Wexford a week later.

Missing many key players, for a host of reasons, Antrim lost all their games in Division One and have to settle for Division 1B next season after a reshuffle brings five divisions of seven teams.

Six Dunloy players – Keelan Molloy, Nigel Elliott, Seaan Elliott, Ryan Elliott, Daire McMullan and Aodhan McGarry – have joined the panel.

Others to sign up are Sean McKay (Cushendun), Cormac McKeown (Glenravel), Niall McGarel (Glenarm) and Ruairi McCormick (Loughgiel).

McKeown starred for St Killian’s Garron Tower on their way to the Paddy Buggy Cup title. His teammate Joe McLaughlin has also returning to training after u-20 and school duty.

Gleeson has also been boosted by the return of Conal Cunning, Dubhaltach Wilson and Rian McMullan to training this week.

Others to return to full training are Conal Bohill, James McNaughton and Michael Bradley.

Others on the injured list – Paul Boyle, Ciaran Clarke, Gerard Walsh, Daniel McKernan, Seamus McAuley, Caolan McKernan and Stephen Rooney – will be in contention for a return ahead of the Championship.