It might be billed as a League game, but this weekend’s clash between Laois and Antrim already has the feel of a Championship battle about it.
O’Moore Park is the setting for what is a must-win game for both counties as they bid to avoid a relegation play-off.
The possibility of All-Ireland champions Limerick being on the other side of that play-off will only add to the tension, albeit the Treatymen will be expected to defeat Offaly at home in their final Division 1A game later this month.
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Laois lost out to Antrim in the League last season and needed a relegation play-off win over Weathmeath to perverse their top-flight status.
However, the Leinster outfit gained the upper hand in the Qualifiers, defeating Darren Gleeson’s men 2-27 to 2-21 to condemn the Saffrons to the Joe McDonagh Cup for this season.
Conor McCann knows the importance of staying in Division One and what’s at stake in Portlaoise on Sunday.
“It is just the way it has worked out and it looks like it is going to come down to this weekend,” said McCann
“It is a huge game for us and for Laois as well. They’ve had our number over the last few seasons.
“I know we beat them in the League last year, but when it came down to that Championship knock-out game, they were too strong for us on the day and we didn’t perform.
“We know how important this game is. We need to replicate what we’ve done in recent weeks and then try to better that and give ourselves every chance.
“Sunday, away from home, we’ll be hoping to get as many supporters down to Laois as possible.”
If Antrim play like they have in their three defeats to Kilkenny, Dublin and Waterford, there’s every chance they’ll come away from O’Moore Park with the crucial two points.
In Nowlan Park, the Cats were all out to clinch a 2-15 to 3-9 win. At home to Dublin, Antrim had ample chances before losing by four while Neil McManus saw his late penalty diverted over the bar by Waterford goalkeeper Shaun O’Brien at Corrigan Park last Sunday.
A goal would have earned the hosts a share of the spoils rather than a two-point loss.
While the performances have been encouraging, the harsh reality of life in Division One is that Antrim have nothing to show for their endeavours.
McCann made his first appearance in the League after playing through the club season with groin and hip problems. He admits it was tough watching on from the sidelines, but is ready to put his shoulder to wheel for the remainder of the campaign.
“It has been hard enough from watching on the sidelines. You are helpless watching on,” said McCann.
“You try to do as much as you can during the week in training and pass on as much advice as you can. At the end of the day, we are all players and you want to be playing as much as possible, especially against that level of opposition and when you feel you can offer something.
“We’ve lost three games and we’ve been beaten by minimal margins in each of them. We’ve had chances to win all three games, but doesn’t matter if you are beaten by a point or beaten by 10.
“We feel like we’ve been playing well in patches and periods of games. Getting larger periods of dominance and stopping teams when they’ve their purple patches is something we’ve struggled with. The teams in Division One are ruthless – they punish you if you make any sort of error.”
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