Antrim's joint hurling manager Terence 'Sambo' McNaughton has expressed delight at the news that the Glensmen will make their Leinster championship debut against Dublin at Croke Park. The historic game will be played as a curtain-raiser to the eagerly-awaited Leinster football quarter-final between Dublin and Meath, which is sure to be a 82,000 sell-out on June 7. "It's absolutely fantastic news for Antrim hurling," said McNaughton, who had pleaded with the GAA to allow the Ulster champions to compete in the Leinster championship prior to last month's Special Congress. "With the Dublin footballers playing, and against Meath as well, the place will be packed to the rafters that day. I would hope that there would be close to 40,000 people there to see most of the hurling game and you would imagine the place would be full enough by the time the game is coming to an end." "This is why we play this game," he added. "Now our players have something to aim for. Antrim will be going to Croke Park that day feeling they have a great chance of beating Dublin. They will believe they can beat us and go on and make a real impression in the championship. It should be a great day and hopefully the game will live up to it." Tweet

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