Joe McDonagh Cup – Match Day Three

Offaly vs Antrim @ O’Connor Park, Tullamore

Throw In: 3pm

Referee: Liam Gordon (Galway)

By Brendan McTaggart

Those of us old enough to remember ‘that’ day, will always have a special place in our hearts for matches against Offaly in the championship.  30 years ago came the Saffrons greatest hour in Croke Park.  An All-Ireland semi-final win that saw Olcan ‘Clute’ McFetridge firing the sliotar to the back of the net at Hill 16 while on his knees, Jim Nelson paraded around Headquarters shoulder high and the Offaly players paying Antrim the greatest respect by forming a guard of honour as they left the field.  One of the greatest sporting moments of the century from the Faithful County, no matter what your persuasion of county origin.

30 years.  It’s incredible to think it’s been that long.

Regardless of how many years go by, the story brings a smile to everyone who was in attendance.  It’s Antrim GAA’s JFK moment.  Everyone is said to remember where they were when they found out the news about the assassination of the American President.  Everyone in Antrim who is of age to know will have their ‘I remember moment’.  None more so than Curly himself.  A phone call with the Master Photographer and he can recall every swing of a hurl from the match.

The links to the Antrim team from yesteryear are still there.  Mattie Donnelly’s dad, Brian lined out on the three-quarter line while his uncle Dessie hurled in the corner of the defence.  In the other corner was Antrim coach, Gary O’Kane.

So to this weekend and Saturday in particular.  Neal Peden takes his side to Tullamore in search of their second win of the Joe McDonagh Cup.  The competition itself is proving to be every bit as close as was predicted but the Faithful County are under pressure already.  After their loss to Westmeath, they are now 0 from 2 despite their relegation from the Liam McCarthy Cup last year.  Worrying times for the Offaly men and they’ve reacted by ending Kevin Martin’s reign.  Martin’s time at the helm coming to an end six months short of two years with the Offaly County Board calling on the services of Joachim Kelly to step into the breach.  The Lusmagh clubman another link to ’89, hurling in midfield on the day, scoring 0-1 from play.

With a new manager will come a fresh energy within the squad with rumours circling of Kelly bringing in six new faces since taking the helm.  What has happened in the previous two matches for the Faithful County can be disregarded.  Kelly will be keen to get his tenure as Offaly hurling manager off to a winning start and a tough away match for the Saffrons has become significantly more difficult.  The new manager effect will give Offaly Bouncebackability and make them a different animal than what they were at the start of the campaign.  They will be without the services of Niall Houlihan, the half back given a straight red card in his sides 13 point defeat to Westmeath but it was 70 minutes to forget with the Faithful County heavily reliant on Joe Bergin for scores.  Of the 0-14 scored, Bergin landed 0-9 with six frees and one ’65. 

Antrim come into the match after a defeat to Laois and another 70 minutes against the O’Moore County where they flattered to deceive.  Full of confidence after a morale boosting win and hugely impressive performance in the opening day win against the Kingdom, the Saffrons didn’t fire on all cylinders.  An eight point defeat was a stark reminder to the Saffrons of how difficult this competition can be but if we need a further reminder of the competitive nature, look no further than last weekend.

Westmeath, fresh from gaining promotion from Division 2 and a 13 point win over Offaly, were having a flawless 2019 until they hosted Kerry.  The Kingdom registering their first win of the competition meaning that after two rounds of fixtures, we’re still nowhere near close to finding out who will contest the Final as the curtain raiser to the Leinster Hurling Final.

Pos	Team	P	W	L	D	F	A	Diff	PT
1	Laois	2	2	0	0	64	52	12	4
2	Westmeath	2	1	1	0	49	38	11	2
3	Antrim	2	1	1	0	50	44	6	2
4	Kerry	2	1	1	0	38	50	-12	2
5	Offaly	2	0	2	0	44	61	-17	0

Antrim showed against a defensive Kerry side that they have the attacking prowess to cause Offaly problems.  With a full hand to pick from, they travel to Tullamore at full strength and with Eoghan Campbell and Nigel Elliott’s introduction and performance coming off the bench against Laois, Peden and his backroom team have decisions to make.  A nice headache to have.

Saturday will be a crossroads for Antrim and Offaly.  An Antrim win and the Saffrons can look at the rest of the campaign with hopes and desires of claiming a national title while the showdown in Tullamore is being billed as the biggest match in Offaly’s hurling history.  A defeat would see them in the midst of a relegation battle and the Christy Ring Cup looming large in the background, just two years after playing in the Leinster championship.  A staggering thought for a county with the hurling history of Offaly but one they could be faced with nevertheless.

70 minutes with the same work rate, desire, intensity and not forgetting skill displayed against Kerry on May 11and Antrim could well be leaving Offaly with another two points and their fate will be in their own hands.  An encouraging thought but for now, Tullamore direct.