Joe McDonagh Cup
Antrim v Kerry
Saturday 21st May – Venue: Corrigan Park, Belfast – Throw in: 1pm
Referee: John Keenan (Wicklow)
Once more into the breach my friends. Antrim welcome the Kingdom to Corrigan Park on Saturday afternoon in the privileged position knowing they have their place sealed in the final. Croke Park beckons in two weeks time but for now, all eyes and attention is focussed on the Whiterock Road and a Kerry team with everything to play for.
Offaly are well positioned to be Antrim’s opposition in the McDonagh decider having held off a late rally from Kerry last weekend. Leading by five with not much time remaining, just one point separated the side at the final whistle with a score line of 4-23 to 2-28 in the Faithful County’s favour.
For Kerry to qualify, they need to defeat Antrim and hope Carlow do them a favour against Offaly. Not beyond the realms of possibility but not the most likely outcome.
The Saffrons injury list hasn’t lifted any since their demolition of Meath last Saturday. Paul McMullan is still out with injury, with Neil McManus the unlikely deputy to Ryan Elliott. McManus himself is also recovering from injury while Niall McKenna will miss the game after being sent off against the Royal County.
Up front, Antrim have been performing well with 18 goals in four games – a telling statistic and one that will please Gleeson and his backroom team. What won’t so pleasing is conceding nine goals in the same period. With the pressure off the shoulders of those in the Saffron camp, Gleeson good look to change things around and experiment with his back six.
Kerry’s firepower will need some looking after. Shane Conway is one of the best hurlers outside of the Liam McCarthy Cup and has the ability to do untold damage while Padraig Boyle amassed 0-15 against Offaly last Saturday in Tralee. Maurice O’Connor’s introduction off the bench in the second half saw him fire two majors and will be pushing Colm Harty for a place in the starting 15. Mikey Boyle and Fionan Mackessy are names those who have followed Antrim in recent times will be well familiar with and they have the ability to dictate from the heart of the Kerry defence.
It may be a game where Antrim have nothing to gain but the fact Kerry have everything on the line means makes it intriguing. A loss could hurt any momentum gathered thus far and in a competition played in a short space of time like the McDonagh Cup has been, momentum is everything.
For now, it’s Corrigan Park for us all with a tentative eye on the Jones Road in a fortnight.