Antrim performance coach Neil McManus says the Saffrons face “a massive challenge” this weekend in their do or die clash against Offaly.

Both sides will be fighting for their survival in the Leinster senior hurling championship on Sunday in Tullamore, where the losers are set to be condemned to the Joe McDonagh Cup for 2026.

Speaking to BBC Sport NI this week ahead of the crunch showdown at O’Connor Park, McManus said the group are eager to bounce back from the disappointing loss to Galway last weekend and bounce back by retaining their top tier status on Sunday.

"We've been in this situation before. We tend to be in this situation annually," said the former Antrim star who joined Davy Fitzgerald’s backroom team for the 2025 season.

"We're fighting for survival in the Liam MacCarthy. It's a massive challenge on Sunday.

"Offaly have developed hugely over the past four, five seasons. Their county has improved massively over the past decade and everyone has enjoyed that but we'll be fully focused on ourselves on Sunday and retaining our Leinster championship status.

"We love the fact that there's an Ulster county represented in Ireland's top flight and we want to ensure that not only Antrim Gaels but Ulster Gaels can come here to Corrigan Park and see our lads at the very, very top level."

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