Antrim hurling coach Arron Graffin says his side had no other objective but to "win the game" when they take on Kildare in Newbridge on Sunday (14:00 GMT).
Both sides are yet to register in the campaign with the Lilywhites losing their opener away to Dublin last weekend, having had the bye in round one, while Antrim were narrowly beaten away to Wexford in their opener before shipping a 14-point home reverse to Clare.
Each of those games went to script with the McDonagh Cup counties losing out to Liam MacCarthy sides, but both Kildare and Antrim will view this weekend's game as an opportunity to get of the mark.
Kildare won a Walsh Cup meeting between the teams in pre-season, but the stakes are now much higher and with two teams relegated from the seven-team Division 1B, the outcome of this game could have a huge bearing on that outcome.
"This league is so competitive, really tough," Graffin told BBC Sport NI following Antrim's 2-30 to 1-19 defeat by the Banner.
"We played Wexford and it was a puck of the ball between us, today a bit of a different story, but we will go down to Kildare and want to win the game.
"We've a couple of tough games coming up after that as well, but it's so competitive in this division and we want to make sure we are still here by the end of it."
'Games against the top teams bring us on'
- Watch: Classy Clare cruise past Antrim in Cushendall
Although second best against the 2024 All-Ireland champions at the weekend, Graffin felt there were positives to take from the performance, with Keelan Molloy returning to action as a second half substitute, while Conor Johnston and Jack McCloskey also made impacts off the bench.
The destination of the points was decided long before the final whistle, but Antrim did continue to battle to the full-time whistle which hasn't always been the case previously with victory beyond them.
That was one positive for Graffin who believes challenging top contenders like Clare will benefit the Saffrons for the remainder of the campaign.
"We're obviously disappointed with the result, but we wanted the men to go out and fight and scrap," he added.
"We probably had a slow start in the first half and maybe stood off them a wee but let's be honest, that Clare team is stacked with All-Stars and All-Ireland winners – excellent players.
"In the second half we rolled into it a lot more and a few of the lads who came off the bench made a bit of an impact. It was tough going but the lads dug in and stayed at it, which is what we wanted.
"We're trying to get better, trying to improve and develop, so any time we have a chance against a team like Clare, it brings us on a wee bit, so that's all you can ask for."
Down make the trip to Clare
Down are also seeking their first points of the campaign but face a tall order on Sunday when they take on 2024 All-Ireland champions Clare in Ennis [13:30] in Division 1B.
Ronan Sheehan's side began their campaign with a defeat by Carlow in Dr Cullen Park when the Barrowsiders produced a strong second half performance to overturn a four-point deficit at half-time against a Down side that lost Ruairi McCrickard to a red card.
The Ardsmen produced a better showing against Wexford in Ballycran last Sunday when battling back from eight behind a the break to level late on, but two late scores rescued the situation for the Yellowbellies.
Clare have opened their campaign with intent as after a late Tony Kelly goal saw them snatch an opening win over Dublin, they impressed against Antrim in Cushendall when scoring a 14-point win on a day when 2024 Hurler of the Year Shane O'Donnell returned to action.
Brian Lohan's men suffered relegation last year and have began their quest for an immediate return to 1A in fine fashion, so will provide a stern test for their visitors.
In Division Two, Derry are also seeking to put opening defeats behind them when they host Mayo at Celtic Park on Saturday [13:00].
The Oak Leafers suffered a heavy opening loss to Kerry an while they improved against Laois last week, there was still nothing to show for their efforts.
Mayo got off the mark last week with a draw away to London following a heavy opening defeat by Laois.
Armagh will seek their first points in Division Three on Saturday at the Athletic Grounds [14:30] against Roscommon who had the bye in round two, while Tyrone will seek to build on last week's win away to Louth when they welcome Wicklow to Garvaghey on Sunday [13:00] and Fermanagh host Wicklow on Sunday [14:00] following their opening defeat by Donegal.
In Division Four on Saturday [14:00] Monaghan entertain Longford following their victory over Lancashire last week.
