Antrim gained revenge for last year's surprise defeat at the hands of Westmeath when finishing with eight points to spare over the Lake County in the preliminary round at Cusack Park a fortnight ago.

Kevin Ryan's charges travel south again this weekend to take on Laois in their own backyard on Saturday.

The advantage of having already played a game is huge plus for the Saffrons and they will be keen to keep the momentum going.

Having said that, Laois triumphed over Westmeath on a scoreline of 3-14 to 1-9 in the Division 2A final so they won't be lacking in confidence.

The O'Moore County manager Seamus Plunkett revealed this week that Zane Keenan and Tommy Fitzgerald are struggling to be fit but, significantly, did not rule either player out.

The prize for the winners is a quarter-final meeting against the winner of the other round 1 game involving Carlow and London.

Verdict: Antrim

Laois: Eoin Reilly; Brian Stapleton, Brian Campion, John A Delaney; Cahir Healy, Matthew Whelan, Gearoid Burke; Joe Fitzpatrick, James Walsh; Stephen Maher, Zane Keenan, Willie Hyland; John Brophy, Tommy Fitzgerald, Brian Dunne.

Antrim: R McGarry; B McFall, A Graffin, M McFadden; C McKinley N McAuley J McGreevey; M Donnelly T McCloskey; P Shiels, N McManus, E McCloskey; S McNaughton, C Carson, AN Other.

Referee: C Lyons

Odds: Laois 11/8, Draw 10/1, Antrim 4/6

Match Details:Portlaoise, 7pm, Saturday, May 18th Tweet

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