Allianz Hurling League Division One
Group B
Antrim vs Kilkenny
Date: Sunday February 6
Throw in: 1pm
Referee: Patrick Murphy (Carlow)
Brendan McTaggart previews Antrim’s opening game in the 2022 League as the Saffrons take on Kilkenny….
The National Leagues begin this weekend for Darren Gleeson’s Saffron hurlers as they look to build upon a promising return to Division 1 in 2021. They have the small matter of a trip to Nolan Park on Sunday afternoon as they face Brian Cody’s Kilkenny on the opening day of their campaign but they will have fond memories of their last outing in the Cat’s backyard albeit a game ending in defeat.
The second half last May where Antrim certainly rattled Kilkenny. Eight points down at half time but just ten minutes into the second half they were back on terms thanks largely to goals from Ciaran Clarke and Conal Cunning. Kilkenny responded but Antrim laid siege on the Cat’s goal. Neil McManus with their third major of the day but he was denied by the crossbar and some last gasp defending.
That second 35 minutes and a deafening silence in the press-box of Nolan Park from the natives is one of my highlights from last years league campaign. A day when Antrim made the Cats purr to another gear, a day when Antrim threw everything they had and it was enough to rattle Kilkenny on their turf.
This year, the Walsh Cup has thrown up some mixed performances. An opening half against Dublin in Parnell Park was encouraging and while the second half had moments to lift our spirits, Dublin were on a different level. All things considered, we should remember Dublin went on to win the Walsh Cup with a resounding win over Galway and Wexford in the final.
Against Offaly and summarising the first half in Tullamore, in Gleeson’s own words: “That was as poor as we have been in my time up here.” It was a day where anything that could go wrong, went wrong in that first half yet Antrim produced a second half performance that could have seen them winning the game. There may have been an element of the home side lifting their foot off the accelerator but Antrim showed more of what they are capable off and the three hour and 20 minute journey home didn’t seem as long.
Two weeks ago against Galway in Darver, Louth, it was clear Antrim had a point to prove to themselves. The Tribesmen went into the game stinging from their big defeat to the Dubs and Antrim gave them their fill of it and more. Ultimately the records will show a six point defeat but again, a game in which if goal chances were taken it could have been very different.
Speaking with Darren Gleeson in Tullamore, you could tell he has had his fill of ‘glorious failures’ and stories of ‘what might have been.’ The Portro man is a straight talker and is renowned for not making excuses. It’s maybe a trait that we as followers of Antrim have clung onto for too long.
Throughout the Walsh Cup, Antrim used 30 different players with a number of players returning. This bodes well for Gleeson and his management team whose strength in depth will certainly be tested in the coming weeks. They have injury concerns over Domhnall Nugent, David Kearney, Matthew Donnelly, Conor McCann, Shea Shannon and Niall McKenna. Nugent didn’t get any game time in the Walsh Cup while Kearney was injured against Galway having performed well in the second half against Offaly. McKenna looked like he had no break such was his performance against Dublin on the opening day of the 2022 season with Donnelly, McCann and Shannon all having a small amount of game time.
On the opening day of last years league, Antrim make the hurling world take note that they aren’t in Division 1 just to make up the numbers. Brian Lohan’s Clare came to Corrigan Park and found out that it is indeed a Long Long way from Clare to Here with a late McManus point ensuring a win. Something similar this weekend would be stuff dreams are made of.
When they last played…..
Allianz Hurling League Division 1
Group B
Sunday May 16 2021
Silky Cats too strong for Saffrons
Antrim 3-15 Kilkenny 1-28
Brendan McTaggart reports from UPMC Nolan Park, Kilkenny
A case of what might have been. Despite a barnstorming second half that saw Antrim score 2-3 without reply, the class of the Cats shone through. Kilkenny the victors with seven points to spare over Antrim but the Saffrons gave the home side their fill of it and more to in a much improved second half.
James McNaughton top scored for Darren Gleeson’s men with four of his six points coming from play while Ciaran Clarke, Conal Cunning and Neil McManus scored the goals that raised Antrim hopes. Kilkenny rallied with Alan Murphy, Eoin Cody and Padraig Walsh in particular outstanding, Murphy top scoring with 13 points (nine frees) overall while Cody scored their goal in the first half.
The Saffrons had further goal opportunities throughout, but some heroic defending and top drawer goal keeping kept them at bay. Their second half performance was much improved from the opening 35 but their learning curve and adventurous journey continues.
Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Damon McMullan, Gerard Walsh, Stephen Rooney; Eoghan Campbell, Paddy Burke, Joe Maskey; Neil McManus, Keelan Molloy; Niall McKenna, James McNaughton, Michael Bradley; Conal Cunning, Conor McCann, Ciaran Clarke
Sub: Eoin O’Neill for N McKenna (49); Domhnall Nugent for K Molloy (52); Conor Johnston for C Cunning (52); Phelim Duffin for S Rooney (55); Dan McCloskey for C McCann (63); Shea Shannon for C Clarke (66); Ciaran Johnston for S Rooney (66)
Scorers: J McNaughton 0-6 (2f); C Clarke 1-3 (3f); C Cunning 1-1; N McManus 1-1; C McCann 0-2; G Walsh 0-1; N McKenna 0-1
Kilkenny: Darren Brennan; Tommy Walsh, Huw Lawlor, Paddy Deegan; David Blanchfield, Padraig Walsh, Conor Browne; Richie Reid, Cillian Bukley; Liam Blanchfield, Eoin Cody, Martin Keoghan; James Bergin, Adrian Mullen, Alan Murphy
Subs: John Donnelly for L Blanchfield (ht); Joey Holden for P Deegan (45); Conor Fogarty for R Reid (56); Tadgh O’Dwyer for J Bergin (61); Michael Carey for C Buckley (66); Eoin O’She for E Cody (blood sub inj)
Scorers: A Murphy 0-13 (9f); J Bergin 0-4; E Cody 1-1; C Browne 0-2; A Mullen 0-3; M Keoghan 0-2; John Donnelly 0-1; R Reid 0-1; P Deegan 0-1