THERE HAS TO be a certain amount of frustration within Antrim hurling.
Last August they were worried about whether they would be able to get 15 players together to contest an All-Ireland Under-21 hurling semi-final against Dublin, six months later one of their clubs sides – Loughgiel – is winning a club All-Ireland title.
The point being that while there is talent in the county, there is a feeling that there might not be the belief to support it. Something that is worth a couple of points in any game – the courage to take a shot on, a man on, a short puckout on. It all adds up to a tangible difference on the scoreboard.
This weekend they take on Westmeath at Mullingar in the sides’ second ever championship meeting – with the Saffrons having beaten the Lake County 2-25 to 1-19 a year ago in Casement Park. There was less between the teams than the scoreline suggested and it took a bright opening and ending for Antrim to progress in what was their second (of three) championship wins that season after defeating Laois in Leinster.
Undoubtedly, the move to their second provincial championship from 2009 onwards has been beneficial to Antrim.
One needs only look at how active they have been in those three seasons compared with the seven that preceded it for proof of that. Antrim have played 12 championship games from 2009 to 2011 inclusive; they had contested just 14 in the seven terms from 2002 to 2008 inclusive. In 2006, they were not even part of the All-Ireland series as they had been relegated to the Christy Ring Cup. As anyone can appreciate, you don’t cut away pounds of flesh without having sharpened your knife first.
It is a commonly-held view that a team grows, gels and improves through playing together – so it can be fairly assumed that the Saffrons’ opportunity to do so has more than doubled since they were granted entrance to the Leinster championship.
And look at the dividends. Rather than direct qualification to an All-Ireland quarter-final that usually meant exit at the first hurdle, there is now a second chance. Moreover, the initial chance is not just a shootout against Galway, their ersatz Leinster neighbour, as has previously been the case.
They beat Dublin in 2010 and pushed Cork for long spells in the All-Ireland quarter-final after that. Ex-boss Dinny Cahill’s men lost by 11 and 19 points respectively to Wexford and Limerick as they were eliminated from the Leinster and All-Ireland series respectively – suggesting their capacity for challenging better sides diminished from 2010 to ’11.
Of course a couple of wins (or losses) can change the complexion and outlook for any side so a mid-placed finish in Division 1B – without the Loughgiel contingent – should not burden the Saffrons.
Carlow’s Paudie Kehoe with Michael McEvoy of Laois ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
They need only look at Westmeath for proof of that. The Lakemen lost seven games from seven in Division 2 last year – but Brian Hanley took over the job and led them to victory over Carlow and a fine performance against Galway in Leinster, a game many expected them to lose by a multiple of the nine points that were eventually in it.
Hanley has named six debutants for the Antrim game, including two current minors (Robbie Greville and Niall O’Brien) and two more just out of that grade (Paul Fennell and Aonghus Clarke).
Saffron boss Jerry Wallace names just two new boys in John Kerr and Mickey Gettens in what looks to be, overall, a stronger side. Loughgiel, unlike in the league, are well-represented with Liam Watson, Eddie McCloskey, Barney McAuley and goalkeeper DD Quinn all named to start in Mullingar.
The experience should tell, unless the old frustrations come back to haunt Antrim.
Verdict: Antrim
Westmeath: S McGovern; C Jordan, A Price, P Fennell; P Dowdall, A McGrath, P Greville; A Clarke, J Clarke; B Murtagh, F Boyle, R Greville; N O’Brien, J Shaw, E Price.
Antrim: DD Quinn, J Kerr, C Carson, A Graffin, M Gettens, N Mc Manus, N McAuley, B McAuley, P Shiels, M Herron, B McFall, E McCloskey, D Hamill, L Watson, S McNaughton.
LAOIS ARE FAVOURITES to win the other Leinster clash this weekend despite having a wretched season in Division 1B of the National Hurling League.
Of course that continues what has been a dramatic decline for a county that was close to making an All-Ireland quarter-final in 2009 when they threw away scores and the initiative against Justin McCarthy’s misfiring Limerick side.
Last season Brendan Fennelly stepped down as manager after losses to Antrim and a 10-20 to 1-13 annihilation at the hands of Cork. New boss Teddy McCarthy has this week been urging O’Moore County supporters to get off their backsides and support the team, something he feels has not been happening. After five defeats from five in the league, there is little optimism about McCarthy’s men.
Particularly when the manager has been attempting to push the spotlight away from the players who are not willing to line out for their county.
Carlow may not exactly be riding the crest of a wave and might be coming from Division 2A but at least they will have confidence on their side having gained promotion after beating Westmeath in the league final. There could be a surprise on the cards at Dr Cullen Park.
Verdict: Carlow
Laois: E Reilly; C Coonan, D Maher, G Burke; C Dunne, M Whelan, M McEvoy; J Walsh, S Hanlon; S Maher, B Dunne, W Hyland; T Fitzgerald, N Foyle, D O’Mahoney.
Carlow: F Foley; A Corcoran, E Nolan, E Coady; J Corcoran, S Kavanagh, R Coady; J Kavanagh, A Gaule; E Byrne, J Kane, C Doyle; M Kavanagh, M Brennan, D Roberts.