Peter Healy insists Antrim will lick their wounds and move on to the next challenge following Sunday’s six-point loss to Offaly at Corrigan Park.
The Saffrons were wasteful in front of the posts as they suffered an early set-back and they must try and bounce back for what looks to be an equally tough assignment on Saturday night as they travel to Páirc Esler to face an in-form Down team.
Both Offaly and Down were relegated from Division Two last season, but the Mournemen seem to have rediscovered their mojo under new manager Conor Laverty.
Read more: Recap as Antrim suffer six-point loss to Offaly in Division Three opener
After a few impressive showings in the Dr McKenna Cup, Down began their League campaign with a three-point win over Tipperary in Semple Stadium on Saturday night.
With four Ulster teams in the third tier, Healy says it is a good opportunity for Antrim to pit themselves against their provincial rivals.
“The good thing about the National League is that we’ve another game next Saturday against Down and a good opportunity to set things right - that’s the plan,” stated Healy.
“They got a win (against Tipperary on Saturday) so they’ll be on a high.
“We’ve plenty to prove. We’ll go into that game raring to go as well. There’s four Ulster teams in Division Three this year so there’s three big battles. You have to enjoy those days as well. We’re looking forward to trying to put things right on Saturday night.”
Healy made his first start of the season as Andy McEntee’s side lost the first of their three home games at Corrigan Park.
Retaining their status in Division Three remains the target for the Saffrons, but they’ll need to gain points on the road if they are to accomplish their goal.
Healy insists Antrim will need to do better at their Corrigan Park home as they struggled to deal with the notoriously difficult wind factor at the West Belfast venue.
“I think playing at Corrigan Park with that wind can always be tough and we didn’t learn from last season maybe,” said Healy.
“Playing into the wind in the first half, there was a 10 or 15-minute spell when we couldn’t win our kickouts and we were very open.
“In the second half, I thought we came out and showed a good bit of character and gave it a good rattle. We didn’t take our chances.
"We’d a few goal chances at the end and, on any other day, they probably go into the net and you are walking away with two points. That’s football.
“I think there’s positives to take from it as well. We did a lot of things right and we moved the ball quickly, we created a lot of chances especially in the second half.
"We just need to do that more often and probably tighten up at the back. Conceding two goals in any game isn’t good enough so there’s work to be done.
“We’ve two more home games this year and those four points absolutely need to be taken.”
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