Shane McGrath believes that Antrim have a great chance of finally taking a big scalp in Leinster when they travel to Wexford on Saturday.
The Saffrons last won a game in the province in 2015. A subsequent five-year stint in the Joe McDonagh and Covid ensuring that this season is their first taste of the round-robin format.
The Ulster men have yet to beat Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny or Wexford in Leinster since their relocation to the province in 2008.
But the Dubs - who they did edge in the qualifiers in 2010 - were somewhat fortunate to leave Corrigan Park with a point last weekend and McGrath thinks the Model men could be vulnerable after their loss to Galway.
"I feel Antrim are playing Wexford at a great time," the ex-Tipperary star, whose former team-mates Darren Gleeson and Darragh Egan are the opposing managers, told the RTÉ GAA podcast.
"The start Wexford made was unbelievable, Galway hit the first point then they went 2-02 to a point up. But after that they got outscored 23 points to 10. Galway were against a savage breeze in Salthill, went in at half-time and a lot of people knew then that the writing was on the wall.
"People who might not fully get it might say 'weren't Antrim great to draw with Dublin?’. But Antrim were devastated. They were the better team for the whole game in Corrigan Park. They brought intensity, they used the home advantage and only for Donal Burke getting that goal, it was a sucker punch."
"While it was important they got the point, they will say: 'No more moral victories. We're not going to be this team that everybody is marking off as a two-pointer. We finally have to get this win that we’re threatening to do for three or four years'.
"I think they have never had a better chance than they have this weekend to say ‘We’re in the Liam MacCarthy and we beat one of the stronger teams'."
The hosts also have doubts over the fitness of some of their key men ahead of the clash at Chadwicks Wexford Park.
"Lee Chin's injury is his ac joint (shoulder). You have to give that time. As physically strong as the guy is, if he gets one big hit on that, you’re gone again and you’re putting yourself out for another three or four weeks.
"Are they going hold Lee for when they have to play Kilkenny and feel they have enough to get over the line here?
"Damien Reck (hamstring) as well, their standout performer last year in that centre-back role. They are two key guys.
"Can Antrim do it on the road? When they travel they don't seem to have the same flair or form.
"But this is their chance. Wexford are down a few bodies. Maybe the confidence is low there. This has the potential to be a serious game."
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