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Somewhat surprising result from Casement Park yesterday, meaning that Wexford have given themselves a bit of a hill to climb if they are to get out of this division this year. It's probably to Offaly's advantage in that it likely means that we'll get two shots at taking Wexford out of the equation, however it also shows that Antrim will be extremely competitive themselves - and this was before the Cushendall lads come back in. The structure appears to be that the top two play off in a final with the winner securing promotion, and with Cork likely to be relegated in 2009 and no doubt several of their big guns to come back in 2010, there is a huge incentive in trying to go up this year since it won't be easily done for a few years to come.

Yesterday's game should be a stark warning as to why we need to get out of this division. I don't blame players or management for this, but we were simply not hurling well yesterday and lads were making mistakes, all because they knew that they could. Still, we ran up a tally so if we can do the same to Carlow next week, I'd be happy enough with our position going into the meaningful games to come.

Watch out for Down in Ballycran on March 22nd. The Mourne easily accounted for Westmeath in Mullingar yesterday and I can remember a couple of years ago when we travelled up there they gave us a hell of a battle before we eventually scraped over the line with four points to spare. I worry about this game more than any other, the journey is exhausting, the pitch is right out in the wilds of the Ards peninsula and the locals get right behind their heroes when they smell blood. This is the one game where if we are not switched on we could easily get embarrassed.

Watch out for Down in Ballycran on March 22nd.

Very true. I'd go futher by saying watch out for Carlow on sunday. These guys will put up a serious fight. Its an early throw in and I hope we dont get caught cold.

Granted it is important to never overlook an opponent or any specific game.

With all due respect, we need to put Down and Carlow away in such a manner that if we are so fortunate to as to find our way out of hurling limbo they will be delight to see us go.