Antrim's Watson out for most of season

Antrim ace attacker Liam Watson will miss most of next season after undergoing a cruciate ligament operation recently.

Antrim manager Dinny Cahill will now have to plan for the 2005 League and Championship without the Loughgiel club man.

He said: "We have to plan without Liam. He is a loss. He will be on the sideline for almost a year."

However, Cahill has received a boost ahead of next year as midfielder Conor Cunning is expected to return to training after undergoing a similar operation last summer.

Antrim's first League match is on the weekend of February 20, when they host current Leinster champions Wexford.