Nigel Elliott says Division 1B hurling provided perfect preparation for Antrim's inaugural Joe McDonagh Cup campaign.

The Glensmen opened their campaign with a comfortable 5-25 to 2-18 defeat of Meath in Navan on Saturday and hat-trick hero Elliott hopes they can carry that form into next weekend's home clash with Carlow:

"Division 1B gave us a platform to work on," the Dunloy ace told The Belfast Telegraph. "Hurling against the likes of Galway, All-Ireland champions, at the start of the year, a great performance against Dublin… we were unfortunate we weren't getting results, we knew the performances were in us.

"I think that's the first time we've beaten Meath in three or four attempts. We have a bad history against Carlow as well. We just need to go and prove everybody wrong the way we did here. Everyone is just looking forward to it."

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