Joe McDonagh Cup – Round 2
Laois v Antrim
Date: Saturday 25 April
Venue: O’Moore Park, Laois
Throw in: 4pm
Referee: Caymon Flynn (Wexford)
As the Saffron fans set off to Portalaoise Brendan McTaggart looks forward to the task facing Antrim’s in the McDonagh Cup game with the O’Moore County. A win and they are back in the fight, a defeat and we are depending on other results
So, who had a late Donal Hughes goal on their bingo card for the McDonagh Cup opener last weekend? Yeah, me neither. Yet here we sit, lightning striking twice and the hurling God’s not looking favourably on those dressed in Saffron.
A two point defeat, nine minutes of injury time with penalties denied and a chance missed. Despite everything, it is a chance missed. That was a game that should have been won and despite not playing anything like near their best, they could have. A plethora of first half wides, 10 by this journo’s count yet, we had a four point lead at half time.
It was going to be a big ask to get a result at the half way point and as Domhnall Nugent and I both noted at half time while having a yarn, you wouldn’t put it past this side to hurl better into the elements.
Donal was right. On reflection of Antrim games in the recent past, playing into the wind has almost suited them. That’s where the hope gets you again. That, right there. That’s what gave me another lift for the second half. Even at half time when a more unbiased journo might have put me in a better place, the hope was still there.
30 minutes into the second half and it looked like we might get something out of the game. We were keeping Down at arm’s length, keeping that advantage and the Mourne Men unable to make inroads. Those last five minutes of normal time belonged to the visitors to Pearse Park. Tom McGrattan, Daithi Sands and not forgetting one Donal Hughes.
Lights out. Antrim showed some urgency trying to get back into the game and James McNaughton should have had a penalty at the death. It didn’t happen. Two points, a goal was needed. But there was still time for points that could have seen us get a share of the offerings. Hindsight is, as always, 50/50.
It’s frustrating. I said it in the We Are Antrim podcast (have you listened yet?), we played into Down’s hands with how we set up. With the players we have available, we have to play to our strengths. Back ourselves and what we do best. You have the likes of Seaan Elliott, Conal Cunning, Paul Boyle, Keelan Molloy and James McNaughton in a starting team with Joseph McLaughlin and Jack McCloskey on the bench. The attacking threat is there, we just need to adapt.
The sight of seeing a one man inside forward line while playing with a 10 point wind at our backs last Saturday wasn’t exactly filling me with confidence. I know why that system is used and when it comes off, it’s great to see. Running from deep and with numbers is hard to defend against. But when that middle third is packed, it’s a high-risk strategy.
But, it’s how the Antrim management have chosen to play and while I might not agree with it, they’ll have my support and there won’t be a happier man in Portlaoise if we leave with a win. A place that I can’t remember the last time we left with a result but records like this are made for breaking.
The team has been named and it’s an unchanged 15 from the Down game although one positional change with Ryan McNulty and Oisin Donnelly swapping places. Conor Johnston returns to the matchday squad while Sean Og McLaren makes a step up from the u20s to take a place on the bench. Antrim will be hoping for impact off the bench from Conal Bohill and Gerard Walsh again, Bohill in particular gave the Saffrons another dimension in the middle third with his introduction.
A 4pm throw in on a Saturday, O’Moore Park Portlaoise and the sun will be shinning. Hopefully the hurling Gods shine on the Saffrons once more to get our McDonagh Cup campaign back on track.