Killian Sampson levels it for the second time.

Niall O'Connor restores the Antrim lead.

Antrim goalkeeper Ryan Elliott called into action to thwart Charlie Mitchell who has far too much room. It ultimately ends in a 65 which Brian Duignan converts.

Antrim first on the board through Keelan Molloy.

Antrim hurler James McNaughton says new Saffrons manager Davy Fitzgerald has "brought a new lease of life" to the squad.

McNaughton was named man of the match after contributing a personal tally of 1-14 to his side's 2-25 success over Westmeath at Corrigan Park.

The victory followed an opening day defeat by Dublin at Croke Park the previous week.

"Delighted with it. From the get-go it was all about working hard and the rest would take care of itself and thankfully it did," McNaughton told BBC Sport NI post-match.

"It's tough, the work that Davy's doing with us to get everything right. But it's starting to click you can see and it's bringing us on a lot."

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Referee Seamus Hynes throws the ball in and we are underway at O'Connor Park. Offaly playing with a decent breeze at their backs.

One very late change on the Antrim team will see Joe Maskey start at wing-back in place of Conall Bohill who picked up an injury in the warm-up. So, let's do those teams again.

Offaly: Mark Troy; Padraig Cantwell, Ciarán Burke, James Mahon; Ross Ravenhill, Donal Shirley, Jason Sampson; Colin Spain, Cathal King; Oisín Kelly, Daniel Bourke, Killian Sampson; Dan Ravenhill, Charlie Mitchell, Brian Duignan.

Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Gerard Walsh, Paddy Burke, Declan McCloskey; Scott Walsh, Eoghan Campbell, Joe Maskey; Nigel Elliott, Niall O'Connor; Paul Boyle, Niall McKenna, Keelan Molloy; Seaan Elliott, James McNaughton, Conor Johnston.

With their first points banked thanks to a comprehensive win over Westmeath last weekend, Antrim manager Davy Fitzgerald has opted to go with the same 15 that started that game in Corrigan Park seven days ago.

James McNaughton is hurling's hotshot with 1-24 on the board to lead the scoring charts and the Loughgiel man spearheads the attack, wearing 14 but will most likely drop deeper to get a run at the home defence.

Eoghan Campbell was the free man at the back last week and he is named at centre-back, but will likely again be allowed to sweep and break forward.

Connor Johnston proved the match-winner when these sides last met, back in the 2022 Joe McDonagh Cup, and the St John's man will line out in the full-forward line with Seaan Elliott the most likely partner.

Like Antrim, Offaly manager Johnny Kelly has also gone with continuity following their impressive win at Laois last weekend as team captain, Ciarán Burke anchors the side from full-back.

Brian Duignan and Dan Ravenhill landed 18 points between them in O'Moore Park and they will carry much of the Faithful's hopes again this week.

David Nally grabbed his side's goal last week, but once again, he will have to content himself with a place on the bench.

Offaly: Mark Troy; Padraig Cantwell, Ciarán Burke, James Mahon; Ross Ravenhill, Donal Shirley, Jason Sampson; Colin Spain, Cathal King; Oisín Kelly, Daniel Bourke, Killian Sampson; Dan Ravenhill, Charlie Mitchell, Brian Duignan.

Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Gerard Walsh, Paddy Burke, Declan McCloskey; Scott Walsh, Eoghan Campbell, Conall Bohill; Nigel Elliott, Niall O'Connor; Paul Boyle, Niall McKenna, Keelan Molloy; Seaan Elliott, James McNaughton, Conor Johnston.

Image source, BBC Sport

After last weekend's vital home win over Westmeath, Antrim are back in action in another crucial Allianz Hurling League Division 1B contest today as they face their old rivals Offaly in Tullamore.

Offaly's opening draw with Carlow didn't look a great result at first glance but Carlow's win over promotion favourites Waterford last weekend then put a different complexion on it.

The Faithful County beat Laois last weekend and lead the table alongside Carlow on three points after the two opening weekends of action although Dublin have only played one game in the seven-team division, which was their opening 14-point win over the Saffrons at Croke Park.

Antrim have had some great battles with Offaly over the year. Some of us are old enough to remember their famous 1989 All-Ireland semi-final win over the four-time Liam McCarthy Cup winners.

Their last league meeting was the 2022 relegation play-off when Antrim's 2-24 to 2-17 victory in Navan kept the Saffrons in Division One.

Image source, Inpho