Antrim will return to the Walsh Cup in 2013 after opting out of this year's competition.

Manager Jerry Wallace pulled the Saffrons out of the Leinster pre-season hurling competition, which they won a few seasons ago, to concentrate on the Allianz League. However, speaking at the launch of the Leinster championships yesterday, Leinster Council chairman Martin Skelly confirmed Antrim's participation in next year's competition.

"Antrim explained their case earlier this year to us. They had a new management team and with the Loughgiel players involved in the All-Ireland club semi-final at that stage an awful lot of the backbone of the Antrim senior hurling panel was involved," he said.

"They felt that if they weren't able to compete they would wait until they got a full team. That is what they have committed to us and they will be back next year."

The Longford native reckons both Antrim and Galway have added a lot to the Leinster SHC since joining it three years ago.

"There are some excellent hurling teams in our province. The standard is set by a wonderful Kilkenny team.

"I think it's innovative that Antrim and Galway are there. Antrim won their first round match against Laois last year and they will be hoping to step up on that performance. Galway will be saying, 'if we are ever to win an All-Ireland we'll have to win a Leinster title on the way'. "They are very welcome visitors to our province and I think they bring a great level of excitement and they are very, very passionate about what they are doing.

"If one of them were to write their name on the Leinster cup next July well good luck to them. It's great to have them with us." Tweet

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