Star forward Brendan Murtagh is looking forward to Westmeath's Leinster SHC showdown with Antrim at Cusack Park on Saturday afternoon.

Murtagh says the Lake County are eager to put in a big performance after failing to do themselves justice in last year's All-Ireland qualifier clash between the two sides, which Antrim won by 10 points in Casement Park.

"We are just relishing taking on Antrim in Mullingar. Last year we were caught in the headlights a little, after doing so well against Galway and not getting over the finishing line," he said at Westmeath's open evening last Friday.

"We thought we'd get a result in Antrim last year and were perhaps a little overconfident. This year, even since the (Division 2A) league final, training has picked up. That was a disappointing defeat (to Carlow), but lads are really looking forward to this game against Antrim and, please God, we'll come out on the right side of the result."

The Clonkill man added: "Antrim have some very good hurlers, but we love playing in Cusack Park, especially against the bigger teams. We're just really looking forward to the challenge." Tweet

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