Antrim game against Down 'pivotal' - McManus
· Yahoo Sports
Antrim hurling legend Neil McManus says Saturday's National Hurling League Division 1B game against Down at Pairc Esler is "one of the most important games that the county have faced for quite some time".
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The Saffrons are fighting possible relegation after winning just one of their five matches in the division to date.
Davy Fitzgerald's side sit level on points with Carlow, but with a marginally superior goal difference as the two counties try to avoid joining already-relegated Down in being demoted to Division Two.
"It's a pivotal clash from an Antrim point of view, it couldn't really be any more important, trying to secure our status in Division 1B of the National League," McManus told BBC Sport NI's Mark Sidebottom ahead of the weekend encounter at Newry.
"There has been a huge shift in personnel this season, we are without some of the players fans have come to expect to see every time they go to an Antrim game.
"Hopefully we will get some of those back next season but this season it's been an opportunity so far to blood a lot of new players, give them game time, but it's been a chastening experience at times as well."
The Ulster rivals will face each other again in the Joe McDonagh Cup next month, Antrim competing in that competition for the first time since 2022 after suffering relegation from the Leinster SHC for 2026.
"This will be Down's opportunity for really competitive action before the start of the McDonagh Cup, which of course is Antrim against Down in that fixture too in four weeks' time, so nobody will want to come out second best on Saturday," added McManus.
It is anticipated that the McDonagh Cup meeting between the two counties should be played at Corrigan Park next month after essential work is completed at the west Belfast ground.
"Corrigan Park is Antrim's home now. It's really become the focal point of Antrim GAA since Casement Park has become redundant and it's very important that your home games give you advantage over the opposition," reflected McManus.
"Whenever we have been changing pitches on any given week it takes away that advantage and the performances have leant to that.
"Our best performances over the last half dozen years have all been at Corrigan Park so it's going to be very important for the Joe McDonagh campaign that the games are played there."