Brian Whelahan is now an injury doubt for Offaly following an accident he had at work this week. The Birr wing back injured his back when attempting to catch a falling ladder, failed to train on Thursday night and was rated very doubtful by Offaly selector Pat McLoughney yesterday.

"You would know by him walking that he's not right," said McLoughney. "There's no question, he's doubtful at this stage."

They hope to start tomorrow at white-hot pace to try and sting their opponents early. But it is difficult to see how they might sustain that ambition.

Offaly's notoriously laid-back and chilled outlook on life won't be a factor tomorrow. The pasting they took against Kilkenny ought to stimulate their competitive instincts and while they have existed on indifferent form since last September, they have done nothing to suggest they can't engineer another serious challenge when so required.

The Offaly midfield - which could feature Michael Duignan again at some point - should have the measure of an Antrim pairing which failed to spark against Derry and Troy, Johnny Dooley, Duignan and Ryan have enough inventiveness in open play to force some daylight between the teams.

The champions should maintain their interest in the championship without undue stress.

ANTRIM: S Elliot; C McCambridge, E McCloskey, S Mullan; S McMullan, Gary O'Kane, R Donnelly; C Cunning, C McGuckian; L Richmond, Greg O'Kane, J Close; SP McKillop, A Elliot, J Carson.

OFFALY: S Byrne, S Whelehan, K Kinahan, M Hanamy; B Whelehan, H Rigney, K Martin; P Mulhare, J Pilkington; Johnny Dooley, J Troy, M Duignan, J Ryan, J Errity, AN Other.