By Michael McMullan

ANTRIM hurlers begin their league campaign on Saturday night against Dublin in Croke Park, their first competitive outing under new manager Davy Fitzgerald.

It’s the middle game of a triple header that includes Dublin’s football opener against Mayo and the refixed All-Ireland Junior decider between Uisce Chaoin and An Cheathrú Rua.

Fitzgerald made a U-turn to take over from Darren Gleeson after it appeared the former All-Ireland winner was taking time out of the inter-county game.

The Saffrons’ preparation included a training weekend in Limerick and night of socialising in Sixmilebridge ahead of the new campaign.

The new league restructure has paired Antrim with Fitzgerald’s former charges Waterford who make the trip north in Round Two.

With home games vital to league success, the visits of Laois and Westmeath will be important weekends in the schedule.

They will have to plan without Dunloy attacking ace Conal Cunning who is on the way back from knee surgery for an ACL injury.

Fitzgerald has also confirmed Neil McManus won’t be swapping his new role as performance coach for taking his hurl back out of county retirement.

This weekend’s opponents will be under the management of Na Fianna All-Ireland winning manager Niall Ó Ceallacháin who has been juggling his club and county commitments in recent seasons.

The Dubs were in action against Tipperary over the weekend but more than likely won’t call on any of their Na Fianna players here.

With games against Westmeath and Offaly in the coming weeks, a win this weekend would be the perfect boost for Antrim but it’s one of their tougher tests.

It will give the new management a chance to see where exactly they sit and give Antrim some valuable experience playing at Croke Park.