McCANN’S SHOULDER TO WHEEL

ANTRIM begin their Leinster Championship campaign today when Dublin come to Corrigan Park (2pm).

The last time Antrim played in the competition, they were humbled 3-31 to 0-22 by the Dubs in Navan in 2021.

The Boys in Blue have also won the last three League meetings between the counties, including February’s 0-28 to 2-19 victory at Parnell Park.

The Saffrons would love to have former captain Conor McCann (below) battling for primary possession in their forward line this afternoon.

Instead, he’ll be there in the background, carrying hurls or water bottles, encouraging his colleagues and doing whatever is necessary to assist the Saffron cause. He’d hoped to be back by the time the Championship rolled around, but a cruciate injury heals at its own pace and McCann says he’ll not rush his return at this stage.

“I’m getting closer, but I’m not quite there yet. I’m at the latter stages (of rehab) and, fingers crossed, I’ll be able to play some part of this year — that’s the aim,” said McCann.

“It has been a long enough process, but I’ll not be rushed into playing when I’m not ready. It has been tough watching on when you feel you can offer something if you were fit.

Isolated

“It is one of the tougher injuries — you are quite isolated and, with the timeline of it, it is probably as bad if not worse than a break.

“You do what you can and offer as much experience and leadership as you can to the players around you. I’ve been on stick-carrying duties for most of the year so far!”

Retaining their place in the Liam MacCarthy Cup will be the Saffrons’ objective.

Should a Leinster team win the Joe McDonagh Cup, then the side who finishes bottom of the Leinster round-robin group will be relegated.

McCann added: “Of all the teams we’ve played, I feel like we’d have chances against even the likes of Kilkenny.

“We’ve taken points off Wexford, we have some decent performances against Galway too. Dublin just always seem to have that edge, whether it is their style of play, but we’ve always struggled with them.

“At the same time, we’ve gotten close, but I don’t think I’ve played on a team that has beaten Dublin.”