Saffrons manager Kevin Ryan has made four changes to the team that lost out to Wexford in the Leinster SHC quarter-final for Sunday's visit of Offaly to Ballycastle.

Simon McCrory replaces Ciaran Johnson in defence, Tomas McCann and Jackson McGreevey form a new midfield partnership at the expense of Eoghan Campbell and Michael Bradley while Darren Hamill is preferred in attack to Conor Johnson.

Ryan admits that the draw has been kind to his team and they will be looking to repeat the 1-18 to 1-14 league win they enjoyed over the Leinster outfit at Ballycastle back in late March.

"The best thing about the draw is that we will be at home. Overall we are happy, but getting Offaly has probably raised people's expectations."

Injury looks like ruling out former captain David Kenny, James Rigney and Stephen Quirke once more for the Faithful County while, in addition, manager Brian Whelahan is planning without Sean Gardner, Conor Doughan and Ciaran Slevin who have left the panel.

The scars of the 1-18 to 5-32 defeat by Kilkenny will take a long time to heal and Antrim could rub further salt into Offaly wounds this weekend.

Verdict - Antrim.

Antrim team: Chris O'Connell; Odhran McFadden, Conor McKinley, Aaron Graffin; Simon McCrory, Neal McAuley, Neil McManus; Tomas McCann, Jackson McGreevey; Conor Carson, Paul Shiels, Conor McCann; Darren Hamill, Ciaran Clarke, PJ O'Connell.

Offaly team: James Dempsey; Niall Wynne, Rory Hanniffy, Chris McDonald; Kevin Brady, Ger Healion, Cathal Parlon; Conor Mahon, Sean Ryan; Shane Dooley, David Kenny, Colin Egan; Brian Carroll, Dan Currams, Joe Bergin.

Match details: Sunday, Ballycastle, 2pm.

Referee: James McGrath (Westmeath).

Odds: Antrim evens, Draw 10/1, Offaly 10/11. Tweet

Most Read Stories