Neither Liam Watson nor Eddie McCloskey will return to the Antrim hurling squad ahead of the championship.

Manager Kevin Ryan admitted following Saturday's costly defeat to Kerry that he would welcome the Loughgiel duo back into the fold, stating: "If Liam was willing to push it over the next few weeks I'd be prepared to sit down and talk to him. Eddie would be a help to any team but he didn't have the time a few weeks ago… but if that changed with Eddie he would have been a serious asset."

However, Watson is recovering from a knee injury and isn't expected back by his club until July. He will be in Sri Lanka for the next five weeks anyway, so has no chance of featuring in the Leinster championship opener against Laois on May 3rd.

Meanwhile, McCloskey told The Belfast Telegraph: "Kevin knew I was dropping off the panel. We had a conversation and I told him I was unhappy and it was affecting my form. I wasn't up to the standard at all. I have three weeks of University time left and two weeks after that for exams. If it runs until five weeks, you are into Championship time. It's a big commitment and at the minute I feel refreshed because I have had time off."

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