Allianz Hurling League: Antrim face tough test against Galway at Corrigan Park

Darren Gleeson looks set to keep faith with goalkeeper Tiernan Smyth for Sunday's game at Corrigan Park

After an agonising defeat by Dublin two weeks ago, Antrim host Galway in another tough-looking Allianz Hurling League Division 1B game on Sunday.

Young goalkeeper Tiernan Smyth's late mistake as he fumbled a Sean Gallagher shot into his own net meant Dublin snatched a 1-20 to 1-19 win.

It was rotten luck for Smyth and Antrim after the opening thumping by Limerick.

But in truth, the Saffrons had performed well and will hope to produce a similar standard on Sunday.

With long-time talisman Neil McManus having retired and Dunloy quintet Nigel Elliott, Ryan Elliott, Seaan Elliott, Keelan Molloy and Eoin O'Neill opting out of the league campaign in addition to the unavailability of Domhnall Nugent and Joe Maskey, Antrim boss Darren Gleeson has had no option but to bring in a number of young players into his squad.

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These include Loughgiel's Rory McCloskey and Cushendall duo Joseph McLaughlin and Fred McCurry who all performed creditably against Dublin with Rossa's Aodhan O'Brien among players who have returned to the county squad.

The new boys are being guided along by experienced campaigners such as Paddy Burke, Eoghan Campbell, Ryan McGarry and Conal Cunning, who hit 1-10 against Dublin.

Gleeson refused to blame Smyth for the loss and instead pointed to a catalogue of errors in the build-up to the goal.

"That was Tiernan's third inter-county start in goals. He's outfield player with his club," said the Antrim boss.

"He is learning and it's a harsh learning place for Tiernan, but we'll get him behind him and make sure he gets loads more of opportunities to collect balls like that.

Managers Henry Shefflin and Darren Gleeson will be in opposition at Corrigan Park

"He's played against the All-Ireland champions last week, he conceded one goal, he made two or three great saves."

"We're trying to bring a different dynamic with the modern goalkeeper approach and he's really bought into that. He's put his hand up to do that."

Galway boss Henry Shefflin is currently without Cathal Mannion, Brian Concannon, Declan McLoughlin and Kevin Cooney, with the latter expected to miss the remainder of this season because of a serious hamstring injury.

However, the Tribesmen are expected to welcome back a few more of the All-Ireland Club title winning St Thomas' squad after Conor Cooney hit five points from play in the 1-26 to 0-24 defeat by Tipperary two weeks ago.

In their opener a week earlier, Galway hammered Westmeath 4-31 to 0-12.

Antrim's last meeting with Galway was in the Leinster Championship last May when the Tribesmen earned a 5-29 to 1-22 victory at Salthill.