Antrim have been dealt a major blow ahead of their Ulster SFC quarter-final against either Tyrone or Derry with the news that Mark Sweeney has opted off the panel due to work and exam commitments.

The long-serving forward, who plays his club football in Dublin with St Jude's, has informed manager Lenny Harbinson that he cannot commit for the championship.

"Mark Sweeney has been a fantastic servant to Antrim in the last eight or nine years. He's got exams and has had to balance out between travelling up from Dublin," Harbinson explained to the Irish News.

The Saffrons are also facing the prospect of being without corner back Kevin O'Boyle and attacker Conor Murray, who are both recovering from long-term injuries.

"If you look at our defence, five of your seven defenders, including your goalkeeper, have gone from last year," Harbinson continued.

"Kevin has been a massive loss because he was our captain and a massive leader in defence. Conor Murray has only recently resumed training, Kristian Healy has a similar injury to Kevin O'Boyle's and he's been playing through the pain barrier with St Enda's. He's now taking time off to try and heal."

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