GAA Allianz Leagues: Antrim hurlers first in action against Galway

Antrim boss Darren Gleeson makes two changes from the agonising last-gasp home defeat by Dublin two weeks ago as Phelim Duffin and Ronan McAteer take over from Stephen Rooney and Conor Boyd.

That was a tough loss for the Saffrons as they led Dublin late on only for keeper Tiernan Smyth to fumble a Sean Gallagher shot over his own goal-line as they visitors snatched a 1-20 to 1-19 win.

That defeat came after an opening 1-36 to 1-9 pummelling by under-strength All-Ireland champions Limerick.

As he indicated following that game, Gleeson has kept faith with Loughgiel man Smyth for today's game.

Despite not having won the All-Ireland title since 2017, Galway remain one of the game's major powers.

Henry Shefflin has made six changes from the defeat by Tipperary two weeks ago.

St Thomas' duo Fintan and David Burke return along with Darren Morrissey, Adrian Tuohy, Daithi Burke and Sean Linnane as Jack Grealish, TJ Brennan, Shane Cooney, Ronan Glennon, Donal O’Shea and John Cooney drop out.

Antrim: Tiernan Smyth; Phelim Duffin, Rory McCloskey, Paddy Burke; Niall O'Connor, Ryan McGarry, Scott Walsh; Ronan McAteer, Eoghan Campbell; Rian McMullan, Aodhan O'Brien, Niall McKenna; Conal Cunning, Joseph McLaughlin, Fred McCurry

Galway: Darach Fahy; Darren Morrissey, Fintan Burke, Padraic Mannion; Adrian Tuohy, Cianan Fahy, Daithi Burke; David Burke, Sean Linnane; Gavin Lee, Tom Monaghan, Conor Cooney; Evan Niland, Conor Whelan, Jason Flynn.