Offaly's hurlers are facing into a banana-skin clash against either Kerry or Carlow as they fight for their Division 1 lives following this four-point defeat by Antrim.

The Faithful men travelled to Ballycastle as strong favourites for the Division 1B relegation play-off, but the home side simply wanted it more and were deserved victors in an entertaining battle in the Glens.

Offaly led by three at the break, but the home side, inspired by Paul Shiels, reined in the favourites over the second 35 minutes to retain their place in the top flight.

The visitors got off to a flying start, with Stephen Quirke firing to the net after five minutes. Kevin Brady intercepted an Antrim pass and fired low across the square for Quirke to deflect the sliotar to the Antrim net.

The lively PJ O'Connell replied for the home side, but it was the Faithful men who were in control and by the quarter-hour mark, all six forwards had scored when Brian Carroll stroked over for a 1-7 to 0-4 lead.

Two Joe Bergin frees extended the lead to eight, before Shiels sparked the Antrim revival, firing over his side's first score for 16 minutes. The same player then added a superb effort from range before Conor Carson's goal had Antrim right back in the frame and the home side trailed by just three, 1-11 to 1-8, at the break.

Within six minutes of the restart, the sides were level, with Shiels, McManus and Carson all on target.

A score-for-score exchange had the sides level a further two times by the 55 minute mark, but Antrim accounted for five of the final six points to seal the win with the last score of the day coming from O'Connell after a great ball from Ciaran Johnson.

Offaly's final throw of the dice came from a Bergin free which was dropped in short, but the Antrim defence was equal to it and referee James Owen blew the whistle to signal the start of the Saffron celebrations.

Offaly now face a must-win battle against the winner of the Division 2A final between Carlow and Kerry, who meet at Thurles on Sunday.

With just three points and two wides to show for 35 minutes' hurling in the second half, manager Brian Whelahan knows that Division 1 hurling is far from a formality for the Faithful in 2015.

SCORERS – Antrim: P Shiels 0-9 (4fs, 1 '65), C Carson 1-1, N McManus (1f), PJ O'Connell 0-3 each, E Campbell 0-2.

Offaly: J Bergin 0-5 (4fs), S Quirke 1-2, B Carroll 0-3, D Currams 0-2, C Mahon, S Dooley 0-1 each.

Antrim – C O'Connell 8; Ciaran Johnson 8, C McKinley 8, O McFadden 7; E Campbell 8, N McAuley 7, P Shiels 9; D Hamill 7, C McCann 7; C Carson 7, M Donnelly 6, S McAfee 6; N McManus 7, PJ O'Connell 8, Conor Johnson 7.

Subs: B McFall 8 for S McAfee, N McKenna 7 for C McCann, C Clarke 6 for M Donnelly, D McKernan 6 for C Johnson, J McGreevy for C Clarke.

Offaly – J Dempsey 8; N Wynne 7, G Healion 8, J Rigney 8; C Parlon 7, C Egan 7, C McDonald 6; K Brady 6, T Geraghty 7; J Bergin 8, C Mahon 7, S Dooley 6; B Carroll 7, D Currams 7, S Quirke 8. Subs: S Cleary 7 for K Brady, K Connolly 6 for B Carroll.

REF – J Owens (Wexford)

Indo Sport