Antrim set sights on league opener in Wexford
Seoirse Bulfin (left) reunites with manager Davy Fitzgerald in Antrim this year after the pair had success with Clare and Wexford
- Published
Although Antrim's 2025 hurling championship campaign did not go to plan, thoughts of the Joe McDonagh Cup have been put to one side for now as the Saffrons set their sights on their Division 1B opener away to Wexford on Saturday [16:00 GMT].
Last year, a victory over Laois in the final game proved crucial to their survival in the division as new boss Davy Fitzgerald sought to implement a fresh approach.
There have been changes this time around, not just in terms of playing personnel but in the management team with Seoirse Bulfin - who enjoyed All-Ireland success with Clare in 2013 and a 2019 Leinster title in Wexford alongside Fitzgerald - recruited as team coach in place of Pat Bennett after spells with Meath and Westmeath.
With the managerial band back together, Fitzgerald will seek to make gains this season, but they are in a hugely competitive Division 1B with Saturday's opener followed by a home game against recent All-Ireland champions Clare.
Familiar foes Dublin and Carlow also lie in wait, as do last year's McDonagh Cup winners Kildare and resurgent Ulster rivals Down, so the task ahead is not lost on Antrim who will seek to hit the ground running in Wexford Park.
"Everyone wants to test themselves against the best teams in the country and going to Wexford in the first game, you're going to get a fair test down there as it's a very tough place to play," Bulfin told BBC Sport NI.
"We spent five years down there, Davy and I, so we know what it's like and it will be a big test starting off. We will be under pressure for a few games but all you are doing is to get that fight and battling spirit into lads.
"It doesn't get any easier the following week with Clare coming to town, All-Ireland champions in 2024. On top of that, you have Kildare who are on a great run of form, Carlow an exceptionally good team, then Dublin who beat Limerick in an All-Ireland quarter-final last year and finish up with old rivals Down.
"That's a fantastic league to get you ready for championship as every game will be cut-throat."
'A nice mix of experience and new faces in squad'
Shea Shannon has returned to county colours in 2026 having been involved four years previous
The Limerick native came up against Antrim in the league last year when his Westmeath side were soundly beaten in Belfast, so he arrives with an insight as to what he is working with.
On the playing front, there have also been changes with Eoghan Campbell, Nigel Elliott, Ryan Elliott and Niall McKenna stepping away, while some of the new faces include Loughgiel's Jack McCloskey, Creggan trio Sean Duffin, Kealan McCann, Morgan Nelson, while Duffin's namesake from Tir na nOg is also included.
County champions St John's have also increased their representation with Ryan McNulty called up, while returning to the squad are Shea Shannon and Domhnall Nugent who comes in this time as a goalkeeper.
"I've come up against Antrim over the last couple of years, so you're aware of the quality they have," Bulfin noted.
"This year there's been a turnover in the squad with newer and younger lads coming through, so there's a nice mix there.
"With the new guys coming in, the one thing that you would find is the lack of games through no-one's fault to get these guys up to speed.
"There are three or four lads who haven't been at this level before and it could take them a full season to get up to speed, but they are working very hard and the endeavour they have shown is second to none."
'Targeting games not an option in a competitive 1B'
Although Antrim will play their championship hurling in the second tier in 2026 following five defeats from five in the 2025 Leinster Championship, Bulfin put some of those losses down to "fine margins" and anticipates the same throughout this season in what are two competitive competitions ahead.
The championship can wait, as there are significant challenges ahead and in a seven-team Division 1B with two teams promoted and two relegated, there is little margin for error.
"You could target games in the past when there was only one team going up and one going down, but that's not feasible now," Bulfin added.
"What makes that even more difficult is when you look at the first two games: away to Wexford and Clare at home, so you have to hit the ground running because every game is a test, but what better way to test yourself than seeing how you measure up against the best hurlers in the country."
