Leinster Hurling Championship – Round One

Antrim v Dublin

Saturday 22 April

Throw in: 2pm

Referee: John Keenan (Wicklow)

Brendan McTaggart previews Antrim’s Leinster Championship opener with Dublin on Saturday at Corrigan Park.

Antrim’s Leinster championship campaign begins on Saturday with a little piece of history.  The first Leinster championship game to be held in Ulster. Having secured their status in Division One for a fourth season in succession, Darren Gleeson will have his first crack at the Leinster championship ‘proper’ with their previous visit shortened due to the covid pandemic.

Saturday will be five weeks since the Saffrons last played a competitive game and as the Antrim manager told us, they’ve been busy preparing for what promises to be an intense and hectic schedule over the next few weeks: “Our last game was against Tipp on 19^th March and we were back at it on the Tuesday night after that.

“We had a week training camp that was hugely beneficial.  There was a block of intense, heavy training there and a challenge game with Waterford.  The lads were fantastic and bought into everything that we were trying to achieve out there.”

Antrim manager Darren Gleeson

It’s not the first time the Saffrons have gone to Portugal for this training camp but as Gleeson informed us, his players are reaping the rewards they have sewn off the pitch: “It was all driven by the players.  It’s a great sign and a great trait in these players when they are willing to go that extra mile to do what it takes.  The County Board did give funds towards it but the overwhelming majority of the coffers it took to put on that training camp came from funds raised by the players.  They’ve put in a huge amount of work both on and off the pitch to try and be the best they possibly can be.”

Incredibly, this is the first time Gleeson and his backroom team have had the time to prepare for the championship on its own.  Previous campaigns have been curtailed with scheduling and a global pandemic(!) and he told us it was more than welcome: “I suppose that’s the truth of it (championship preparation).  The first year we won the McDonagh Cup during covid and there was no entry into the Liam McCarthy.  Next year we had that one game in Navan against Dublin in a funny game with no crowd or atmosphere then last year was a very compact schedule with league and the relegation play-off before going into the McDonagh Cup and then Cork in the All-Ireland qualifier last year.

“The break has been beneficial and overall, we’re in a good place.  The lads have benefitted from everything we’ve put in place and it’s allowed us to get rid of a few knocks and niggles.”

Antrim and Dublin in action in Parnell Park earlir this season

Antrim’s recent history hasn’t been anything to write home about.  A rousing comeback in Parnell earlier in the league still saw Antrim come up three points short (2-19 to 0-28) while there was defeats by four and eight points in the previous league campaigns.  You have to go back to 2010 for the last time Antrim defeated Dublin, Karl Stewart firing over the winner in Croke Park to give Antrim a 1-17 to 0-19 win, meaning Neil McManus us the only surviving member of that squad to have tasted victory over the Dubs with current coach Johnny Campbell playing centre half.  Despite this, Gleeson still remains upbeat and positive on the Saffrons chances: “I think it’s a game that whoever plays to their potential will come out on the right side of the result.  The difference in recent games against Dublin is we’ve been playing catch-up when we have our purple patch.  We need to be more consistent throughout the game and not let the game get away from us.  You look at the game in Parnell earlier this year and last year as well.  When they’ve got on top of us they have built a lead and then we’re trying to get back into the game and get some sort of parity.”

Saturday represents another step in the journey that Darren Gleeson and his backroom team have taken Antrim hurling on.  A step in a journey returning to the Leinster championship.  It will be the first of two home games in the competition, two massive games against sides playing at the top level of hurling and a chance for Antrim to test where they are in that regard.  It is a massive test, make no mistake about it and Gleeson is hoping for a vocal support on the Whiterock Road come Saturday: “When I got my backroom team together we wanted Antrim playing regularly in Division One and have Leinster Championship hurling and that was told to the County Board.  They wanted Antrim to be playing consistently at the top level and we wanted it too.  The opportunities there now for us to have an impact and we’re as well prepared as we could be for this.  It’s brilliant to have these five games now and especially for the players who have pushed really hard to get to this level.

Three of Antrim’s ‘young guns’ Keelan Molloy, Conal Cunniing and James McNaughton. These lads were just lef primary school the last time Antrim lowered the Dublin colours back in 2010

“I’m hoping for a huge crowd in Corrigan but I’d expect a fair few travelling from Dublin also.  They carry a healthy support and we’ll see a sprinkling of blue shirts throughout Belfast on Saturday.

“It’s a small piece of history and brilliant for the promotion of our game.  A couple of years back when Slaughtneil played Ballyhale in Newry there was calls to have more high profile games in the north of the country and Saturday is one of those games.”

Since the interview with Darren, he has announced his team with Ryan Elliott retaining his place in goals.  Club mate Ryan McGarry takes hold of a number three shirt he has made his own this year with Paddy Burke and Niall O’Connor either side.  Captain Eoghan Campbell takes his place at the heart of the defence with Gerard Walsh and Conal Bohill either side while Michael Bradley and James McNaughton make up the midfield pairing.  Keelan Molloy lines out at centre three-quarters with brothers Seaan and Nigel Elliott either side making an all Dunloy half forward line while Neil McManus is accompanied by Conal Cunning and Conor Johnston at full forward.

The only obvious omission is Niall McKenna who has picked up a knock in recent training, a huge blow but it’s a forward unit who is full of guile, speed, strength and accuracy.  They will need to be firing on all cylinders on Saturday from the first whistle. 

Antrim’s Seaan Elliot who lines out in the half forward line

10 of the starting 15 lined out from the first whistle when the sides met in the shortened Leinster Championship two years ago but this has been a more settled Antrim team in recent times.  Ryan McGarry at three has been something of a revelation since moving to the position for Dunloy during their championship campaign while Gerard Walsh looks more at home at wing half.  Eoghan Campbell is a natural at six while Michael Bradley has been Antrim’s most consistent performer in 2023 regardless of his position.  A pairing with James McNaughton certainly has huge potential to work and they will be up against a massive test on Saturday.

To get anything from the game Antrim will have to make Dublin do something different from recent matches.  Those games have largely been played on their terms and Gleeson hit the nail on the head when saying his side has been playing catch up too often.  A fast start is required, a huge support is needed, a rocking Corrigan Park to welcome Leinster Championship hurling to the ‘wee six’ would go down well.

Let’s bring the noise.

James McNaughton who will line out at midfield alonside Michael Bradley

Leinster Under 20 Hurling Championship

Antrim 6-17 Meath 0-09

Match Report by James Bakewell

Antrim Under-20 Hurlers got their first Leinster Championship win of the season last night when they beat Meath at a wet and windy Louth GAA Centre Of Excellence in Darver.

This is a first victory for Antrim at this level since entering the competition in 2018 and one which the players and management will take great encouragement from with some of the scores and general play coming right out of the top drawer.

The boys from the Glens earned the right to compete in the Leinster group stages this year virtue of winning an extremely competitive Ulster Hurling Championship – defeating Derry in the final at a snow-drenched Owenbeg five weeks ago.

Aidan Scullion

Last Saturday the young Saffrons lost out narrowly to Westmeath in their opening game in Mullingar and having played the majority of the game with 14 men and seeing a raft of scoring chances go astray, the boys in Saffron knew it was time to deliver in last night’s re-arranged game with Meath

The opening exchanges saw the two teams trading point for point and when Antrim began to rack up a few missed chances, albeit against a very strong breeze,it began to feel like a case of déjà vu.

However, steadied by a few well-taken frees from ace marksman Aodhan McGarry the Antrim men went in 0-09 to 0-05 ahead at the short whistle.

What followed in the second half was simply sensational. With the wind at their backs the Antrim attack racked up a hugely impressive 6-08 in a free-scoring display and ensured that they remained in the fight for qualification to the next round. Big Aidan Scullion got two of the goals, his Glenarm club mate Niall McGarrel got one, while Seanie McIntosh, Christy McGarry and Joe McLaughlin got one apiece

Antrim now turn their attention to Offaly in what will be their 3rd away game in 7 days when they return to Darver on Saturday (Throw-In 3.00pm).

Christy McGarry

The players and management know that nothing less than a win will suffice if they are to have a chance of qualifying for the KO stages of this year’s Leinster Hurling Championship.

Offaly are led by current senior star Charlie Mitchell and their team is littered with players like Adam Screeney and Dan Ravenhill who inspired the Minor team all the way to the All-Ireland Final last year.

This will be an extremely tough assignment for the young Saffrons, but one which they will absolutely relish. Good luck to the players and management on Saturday.

Leinster Minor Hurling Championship

Group 2 Round 3

Antrim 1-19 Laois 4-14

Friday 7 April

Brendan McTaggart reports from Abbotstown, Dublin

Antrim’s second half heroics wasn’t enough at the GAA Centre of Excellence on Friday as they came up short against a talented Laois side.  Trailing by seven points at half time and nine just six minutes into the second half, Antrim produced a barnstorming 12 minute period where they pushed Laois to the pin of their collar.  With less than eight minutes of the hour remaining the scores were tied but the Saffrons couldn’t find the scores to push clear.  Laois’ fourth major proved to be decisive in the outcome of this contest but with more than a hint of good fortune for the Midlander’s that left a sour taste in the mouth of the Antrim management team.  There was no denying Justin Duggan’s strike was out of the top drawer and unstoppable for Antrim substitute ‘keeper, Sean Og McClaren but the Saffrons were adamant the Laois forward collected the sliotar off the ground in the build-up to his goal.

With a final tally of 3-5 for the hour, Duggan was a real thorn in the side of the Saffrons as both Duggan and Ben O’Mara gave the Antrim defence a torrid afternoon.  Duggan top scoring but O’Mara’s speed and agility from deep was a terrific asset for their side.

For Antrim, Ben O’Kane’s first half performance was outstanding and while he was still prominent after the half time break, he had more support with substitute Ronan Fitzgerald, Roan McGarry and Liam McEnhill all leading the Saffron charge.  Defensively they had leaders in Cian Baudant and Niall Magee while Reece Cunning’s performance was quite simply excellent.  His heroics to block Cormac Byrne’s shot in the build-up to the fourth Laois goal was sensational, putting his body on the line and showing a desire to do what it took for his side.

With the game in the melting pot at the death, both sides were reduced to 14 men after a fracas.  Referee Caymon Flynn had a busy afternoon and after the game the Saffrons management team cast frustrated figures at how he officiated the game with an overriding feeling of injustice at a number of decisions going against them throughout.

Ultimately the Laois goals were the difference and two if not three of them were certainly avoidable.  Laois were clinical in their execution of the chances Antrim coughed up and made the most of their opportunities as the Saffrons faltered at the death.

Laois played with the wind at their backs in the first half and made a much quicker start than the Saffrons.  Inside the opening seven minutes, they had opened a four point lead with Eoghan Murphy’s free taking ability to the fore.

Roan McGarry was keeping Antrim touch with his own exploits from placed ball with Niall Magee landing the Saffrons opening score from open play to reduce that deficit to three before the first Laois goal came in the 17^th minute.  O’Mara with the sideline and Murphy with the pass to Duggan.  The lively forward did the rest as the Antrim defence was carved open with the speed of the Laois move.

The Saffrons recovered with a brace of McGarry frees with McEnhill and substitute Fitzgerald also finding the target in response to a brace of Duggan frees and just when it looked like Antrim had recovered well from the Laois goal, they were rocked with another major.  A long ball landed in the heart of the Antrim defence that wasn’t dealt with properly.  It was O’Mara who made the most of the indecision in the Saffron defence this time and riffled to the back of the net in the 26^th minute.

The sides exchanged scores in the time that remained to leave the half time score 2-10 to 0-9 in favour of Laois.

It was going to take something special for Antrim to revive their Leinster championship hopes and they were dealt a hammer blow six minutes after the restart.  Goalkeeper Anthony Mullan mishandled a dropping sliotar from a long Ruaidhri Kavanagh delivery and with the sliotar spilling lose, Duggan was on hand to pull first time to the back of the net.

Nine points separated the sides but Antrim rallied.  They scored five unanswered points in the six minute period that saw they take a stranglehold of the game and leave Laois in their wake.

A Duggan score briefly halted the Antrim charge but the Saffrons continued to turn the screw.  McGarry’s eighth point of the game, a ’65 reduced the deficit to four once more before he would score Antrim’s major in the 51^st minute.  Fitzgerald’s effort dropping short and this time it was the Laois defence who were indecisive and it was McGarry who found the telling touch to send the sliotar to the back of the net.

There was an inevitability about the Saffrons completing the turnaround with Fitzgerald’s third point of the match bringing parity to the score line with eight minutes remaining. 

Laois looked to break the Antrim momentum by slowing the game down with Murphy and Duggan firing over frees to edge them two clear once more.  McGarry took his personal tally to 1-10 for the game as Antrim continued to show the belief that they could get the result needed.

They were hit with the ultimate sucker punch as the clock ticked into injury time however.  Duggan fed the sliotar to Cormac Byrne and with an eye on the Antrim goal, his effort was sensationally blocked by Cunning.  As the sliotar went lose, Duggan pounced and the net rippled.  Antrim protested, those protests fell on deaf ears.

Antrim went in search for the goal that would bring them to within touching distance of Laois at the death, Laois were defensively strong and cute in their tackling.  But when Ronan Fitzgerald was dragged down illegally and dangerously, tempers boiled over.  Some players took the law into their own hands with Fitzgerald and Lorcan Dunne both seeing red as a result.  Both looked puzzled at the outcome as they left the field but the referee did consult with his umpires and linesman before issuing the cards.

The final whistle blew soon after as Antrim’s Leinster championship ended in acrimonious circumstances with Laois progressing to the quarter finals.

TEAMS

Antrim: Anthony Mullan; Reece Cunning, Cian Baudant, Callagh Mooney; Niall Magee, Liam Glackin, Charlie McAuley; Enda McGurk, Ben O’Kane; Sean Og Blaney, Callum Kane, Liam McEnhill; Roan McGarry, Orrin O’Connor, Padraig Martin

Subs: Ronan Fitzgerald for C Kane (22); John Scullion for S Og Blaney (HT); Corey Walsh for P Martin (38); Sean Og McLaren for A Mullan (47)

Scorers: R McGarry 1-10 (9fs 1’65); R Fitzgerald 0-3; N Magee 0-2; O O’Connor 0-1; L McEnhill 0-1; E McGurk 0-1; L Glackin 0-1 (1f)

Laois: Ethan Lafferty; Oran Gorman, Ryan Peters, Eli Quinn, Patrick O’Callaghan; Evan Cassin, Liam Whelan; Ruaidhri Kavanagh, Jordan Downey; Caelum O’Brien, Cormac Byrne, Ben O’Mara; Eoin Bracken, Eoghan Murphy, Justin Duggan

Blood Sub: Lorcan Dunne for E Quinn (14 reversed 16)

Subs: Cian Hill for L Whelan (39); Jimmy Norton for E Bracken (43); Shane Connolly for C O’Brien (46); Lorcan Dunne for E Cassin (inj)

Scorers: J Duggan 3-5 (3f); E Murphy 0-5 (4f); B O’Mara 1-1; R Kavanagh 0-2; J Downey 0-1

Referee: Caymon Flynn (Westmeath)

Ulster Under 20 Hurling Final

Antrim v Derry at Owenbeg – Throw in 3pm

The Antrim team to play Derry in Saturday’s Ulster Under 20 Hurling Championship final at Owenbeg shows three changes from the team that started against Down in their final round robin game two weeks ago. Conor Boyle, Christy McGarry and Ryan Mort come into the starting fifteen in place of Luke O’Connor, Jack McCloskey and Seanie McIntosh. Mort came on for O’Connor in the final quarter of the Down game and has done enough to impress the selectors but there is no starting place for any of the other four subs that day, Dairmuid Rogan, Darragh Kelly, Ronan McCollum or Cormac McKeown, who scored four points from play that day.

The win over Down was a hard fought victory with the heroics of goalkeeper Eamon Richmond going a long way towards getting the Saffrons over the line, as indeed was the first round game against Saturday’s opponents Derry, when the sides met at Dunsilly four weeks ago. The night the Oak Leaf outfit pushed Antrim all the way, and only got home with two late points, after Derry captain James Friel had missed the chance of levelling the game going into injury time.

It is clear that there is really nothing between the three main teams in Ulster, with Derry just getting over line with two late injury time points last Saturday, Friel’s brilliance from long range frees just giving them the edge at the end of a really tough contest.

It is highly likely that Saturday’s final will be as close as any of the games to date. Both teams will know that they are both capable of clinching the title, and gaining entry into the Leinster A competition, but both will be equally aware that both sides are very evenly matched. Derry will have home advantage, which could prove vital, and it Antrim are to beat them then they will have to be at their best. Their shooting let them down against both Saturday’s opponents and Down and they will need to be more economical to through. The one thing that might be in the Saffrons favour is the quality of their bench and that could prove a decisive factor in the end.