McManus to debut for Saffron's seniors

Teenager Neil McManus will make his league debut for the Antrim senior hurlers this Sunday when they take on Dublin in NHL Division 1B (Casement Park, throw-in 2.30pm).

The Cushendall clubman, who was the county's minor captain last year, will make the step-up in Belfast as he lines out at centre-forward in a team that shows three changes to the one that lost 3-25 to 0-12 to Galway a fortnight ago.

The two other changes are in defence with Kieran Kelly replacing James McKeague at full-back, while Ciaran Herron makes way for Kevin Elliott at left half-back.

McManus' inclusion on the '40' sees Liam Watson move out to the wing and Michael Herron drops to the bench.

Antrim's joint-manager Terence McNaughton knows a lot is riding on this weekend's result, especially with the Saffrons still to play Tipperary, Kilkenny and Limerick.

"It's a very important game for us, and we will going all out to win it. It is so important for the development of Antrim hurling that we are playing and competing at the highest level we can.

"We just want to be up there with the best," admitted the 1991 All-Star hurler.

"We know we can compete with Dublin, and have been doing so over the past number of years. Playing at home will be a boost, but in saying that we still have to deliver a team performance, and get the team back on the rails after the Galway defeat."

ANTRIM (NHL v Dublin) - DD Quinn; B McAuley, K Kelly, S Delargy; M Molloy, J Campbell, K Elliott; K McKeegan (capt), B Herron; L Watson, N McManus, K Stewart; P Richmond, N McAuley, P Shields.