Antrim hurling is at a crossroads, and former star Neil McManus is calling for unity ahead of a must-win clash in London. The Saffrons face the Exiles this Sunday in Ruislip (13:00 BST) in a pivotal Joe McDonagh Cup fixture, with both teams still searching for their first points of the campaign after two rounds.

The stakes couldn't be higher. After a disappointing loss to Laois two weeks ago, Antrim found themselves mired in off-field chaos. A players' letter to the county board, seeking clarity on manager Davy Fitzgerald's status and a delayed delivery of playing gear, sparked a crisis. When no board member was available to meet, players boycotted a scheduled training session last Tuesday (28 April). The county board quickly denied reports of a move to oust Fitzgerald, and a meeting the following evening confirmed he would stay on.

Now, with the squad back in training, McManus believes the focus must shift entirely to the pitch. "We're in a really unusual situation of utter turmoil over the past number of weeks," the former Antrim captain told BBC Sport NI. "The season has been fraught with disappointment. We just about managed to stay up in the league, and now we're winless from the first two games in the Joe McDonagh. It's paramount we get off and running this weekend in London."

McManus praised the players for their maturity amid the disruption. "They've been let down by officials, but have responded really well. They were seeking clarity and decided to move forward. They got back to training, and I believe the connection between that group of players is very strong."

While a Joe McDonagh Cup final berth looks increasingly unlikely, McManus warned that relegation to the third-tier Christy Ring Cup would be "totally unconscionable" for a county with Antrim's proud hurling heritage. Sunday's game is more than just a fixture—it's a chance to reset, rebuild, and remind everyone what the Saffrons are capable of.