McKinley rallying his troops as Antrim bid to boost survival bid

Huge task: Conor McKinley is targeting a first win for Antrim

By John Campbell

Antrim skipper Conor McKinley faces into the biggest test of his leadership at Cushendall tomorrow when his side must overcome Limerick in a vital Allianz Hurling League Division 1B tie if they are to have any chance of avoiding relegation.

Having lost to Galway, Dublin and Laois, the Saffrons must avoid shipping another reverse and McKinley is urging his players to produce a top-flight performance.

"We know we cannot afford to concede any more points at this stage. Limerick are unbeaten but we must focus on our own situation," insisted McKinley.

In Division 2B, Down travel to face Donegal, who surprised Derry but have otherwise found the going difficult. Down, in contrast, have been racking up some impressive scores.

Derry, meanwhile, host Armagh at Celtic Park where both sides will be anxious to put some recent disappointing displays behind them.

Meanwhile, two players who normally find themselves in the same netball team will be in opposite corners tomorrow when Tyrone and Armagh clash in the Lidl Ladies National Football League.

Armagh's Caroline O'Hanlon and Red Hands dynamo Neamh Woods were in the Northern Ireland netball team that won the Nations Cup in Singapore and also play together for Larkfield in the same code while they are normally first-choice players for Ulster in the Ladies Football Inter-provincial series.

They will each shoulder considerable responsibility for their respective teams tomorrow as Tyrone bid to get back on track after a reversal against Tipperary, while the Orchard County seek to build on a runaway win over Sligo.

Down, meanwhile, will face Offaly at Abbey GS, Newry where they will hope to come out on top and stay in the promotion race, while in Division Four Antrim face a tricky mission against Wicklow at Roundwood and Derry will strive to maximise home advantage at Ballymaguigan against Louth.

In the National Camogie League, Antrim take on Cork today in Division One while in Division Two tomorrow, Down will host Wexford, Derry will face Kilkenny and Armagh will oppose Tipperary.