Leinster GAA Hurling Championship

Round 3

Antrim v Dublin

Date: Saturday 10 May

Venue: Corrigan Park, Belfast

Throw in: 4pm

Antrim continue their Leinster championship campaign on Saturday afternoon as they welcome Dublin to Corrigan Park.  It’s the third match of the campaign and while the Saffrons are still chasing their first points, it’s far from doom and gloom.

The final score last time out against Kilkenny two weeks ago gave an unfair reflection of the 70 minutes that transpired and was a harsh lesson for Davy Fitzgerald’s side.  If you take your eye off the ball at this level, you get punished.  Teams akin to that of Kilkenny are relentless yet for 45-50 minutes, Antrim went toe to toe and had the Cats on the back foot.

Their ability to cut through the Kilkenny defence, create serious goal chances, stem any attacking threat that come their way, stick to a game plan despite a strong start from the visitors.  It’s all serious positives to take from the game along with the game seven days previous against Wexford, Fitzgerald has the Saffrons difficult to come up against despite what the scoreboard read at the end of both games.

So, what about Dublin?  So often seen as the team that Antrim should have in their sights when it comes to trying to take that next step in their progress yet perhaps, they don’t get the credit they deserve.  They reached the Leinster Final in 2024, only to come up second best against Kilkenny while narrowly losing out to Cork in the All-Ireland quarter-final.  In the recent past, Antrim have come up against them on numerous occasions between Walsh Cups, League and Championships, but have yet to come away with a win.

There has been some close calls in there, notably last year in the league when the Dubs left with the points on offer by the narrowest of margins but largely, Niall Ó Ceallacháin and his predecessor’s men have dominated the Saffrons. 

The last time Antrim played Dublin was Fitzgerald’s first match in charge.  Under the floodlights of Croke Park, the home side ran out 1-25 to 0-14 winners in a chastening 70 minutes but it’s fair to say the Saffrons have improved dramatically since that night.  Cian O’Sullivan the tormentor in chief with 0-13 beside his name while Conal Ó Riain, Dara Purcell and Paddy Dunleavy all impressed.

Of the 15 Dubs that started that night, only eight will make their way to the starting 15 for Ó Ceallacháin.  The likes of Paddy Smyth, Paddy Doyle and Andrew Dunphy coming into defence while Donal Burke makes the bench on his return from injury.

When Antrim lined up against Kilkenny, 10 of that 15 that started that night in the league opener had a starting place with another three coming off the bench.  It was the beginning of a bedding in of sorts and something of an exploratory period while Fitzgerald began his search for a formula that would take Antrim forward.  The road, as promised by the Sixmilebridge native, has been bumpy but there’s no doubting that there has been savage improvements as the season has progressed.

The Dubs have a style of play that Antrim have struggled against.  Physically, they are a well-tuned machine and their slick passing, running off the shoulder and overall strength in depth make them a serious proposition.  Power and pace in abundance, skill and athleticism at every corner you turn and only start with two of the Na Fianna side that won this years club All-Ireland against St Thomas.  Another sign of their savage strength in depth.

Antrim still have doubts over Conor Johnston, the St John’s man had to come off after just 30 odd minutes against Kilkenny after missing the Wexford game, Keelan Molloy damaged fingers against the Cats, while Seaan Elliott’s return is still unclear.  Niall McKenna is closing in on a starting berth and would give a serious boost to the forward line with his strength and directness but whether or not he makes the starting 15 remains to be seen.

Dublin come to Corrigan on form having accounted for a resurgent Offaly and Wexford last day out.  If Antrim are to get anything from the game, they will have to match their efforts against Kilkenny and produce that over 70 minutes.  It’s going to be a massive ask but if they can get it right for the entirety of the game coupled with playing on home soil, there could be an upset in the air.

This is the Dublin team v Antrim