Joe McDonagh Cup – Round Robin – Match Day 1

Antrim v Offaly – Venue: Corrigan Park, Belfast Throw in: 2pm

Referee: Chris Mooney (Dublin)

GET OUT AND SUPPORT THE SAFFRONS

After the rollercoaster ride that was the league campaign, Antrim now turn their attention to the McDonagh Cup and the chance for national silverware once again.  The Saffrons memorably won this competition in 2020 and have been made as the favourites by the bookmakers but as we know, the road travelled through the McDonagh Cup is rarely straightforward.

As fate would have it, Darren Gleeson’s men have Offaly in the first match of the round robin.  Having defeated the Faithful County in the league playoff to retain their Division One status, this contest comes with an added edge.  Michael Fennelly will be bringing his side to Corrigan Park with revenge on their mind: “Offaly will be coming with a massive effort after what happened in the league play-off and the nature of this competition, if you lose one game then you’re on the backfoot straight away” said Gleeson, “whoever wins on Saturday will be in a great position and can almost afford to lose one of the remaining games.”

With three home matches against Offaly, Carlow and Kerry, the draw has been kind to the Saffrons but Gleeson was wary of what lays ahead: “The draw has been more kind than the recent past but look, you get nothing easy going to Ballycran and sure we all know the history between Antrim and Meath.  They’re well able to getting in the way and upsetting us so we’ll be treating every game with the same focus no matter the opposition.”

After another year in Division One, Antrim have played at a top level and it will surely stand by them going into the McDonagh Cup but the league has taken it’s toll on the squad as Gleeson told us: “I’m very pleased with the make-up of the squad.  Yes there’s a long list of injuries with a couple more additions to that list since the Offaly game but I have a committed squad who are focussed and ready for the game on Saturday.  There’s positives to be working with a smaller squad and everyone is playing very well right now.

“David Kearney has an ankle injury while James McNaughton picked up a horrible dead leg during the week.

“We never looked for a challenge game, I know Offaly and Laois played each other but we took the opportunity to work on a few things on the training pitch that a condensed league campaign didn’t allow.

“We played as well in the league as we did last year but the results didn’t follow.  The biggest positive to come from the campaign was the reaction we got from the players against Offaly.  There was huge disappointment leaving Portlaoise and we didn’t do what we have been doing or been trying.  The lads reacted well in the play-off and the result followed.

“In last years championship we got caught a little, probably stuck in league mode and didn’t make that transition to a championship mindset that’s required.  We’ve been working on that to make sure the players know they have to step up again to at least the performance levels the last day if not even further.”

The team has been announced with two changes to the starting team from that play-off win against Offaly. Scott Walsh and Seaan Elliott coming in for David Kearney and James McNaughton.  On paper, it’s another exciting Antrim line-up who all have experienced Division One hurling over the last two seasons.  But Saturday is championship and whatever has come before has no relevance.  The McDonagh Cup is a fantastic competition and Offaly travel to Belfast with a point to prove to themselves as well as the rest of the hurling world.  Gleeson finished our interview with a rallying call for a huge support to help his side: “Please God, it’s so important.  We really need them on Saturday and I’m hopeful that with it being Easter weekend and maybe no work on the Saturday that everyone will get out and get behind this team.  It makes a phenomenal difference to the players to hear that support and I really hope for another big crowd in Corrigan.”

Starting team:

1 Ryan Elliott 2 Ryan McGarry 3 Gerard Walsh 4 Stephen Rooney 5 Paddy Burke 6 Eoghan Campbell

7 Scott Walsh 8 Keelan Molloy 9 Joe Maskey 10 Seaan Elliott 11 Domhnall Nugent 12 Conor McCann

13 Conal Cunning 14 Ciaran Clarke 15 Conor Johnston