“Show the team that they mean something to them and this county” – Darren Gleeson

Brendan McTaggart speaks with Darren Gleeson as the Antrim manager sends out a rallying call ahead of Sunday’s huge Allianz hurling league game against Laois.

Allianz Hurling League – Division 1b

Antrim v Laois

Venue: Corrigan Park, Belfast

Throw in: 1pm

Referee: Patrick Murphy (Carlow)

All roads lead to Corrigan Park on Sunday afternoon as Antrim welcome Laois in a winner takes all encounter.  The permutations are simple for Darren Gleeson and his men, win and they ensure their Division 1 status for 2024.  A defeat and they will be facing a relegation play-off.

Déjà vu anyone?

We were in the same scenario 12 months ago when Antrim travelled to Portlaoise in the same position.  That day, an inordinate number of wides against a transformed Laois team left Antrim facing a play-off against Offaly regardless of the result against Tipperary the week after.

Antrim’s form coming into Sunday certainly gives reasons for confidence.  While they have no points to show for their efforts, they could quite conceivably be sitting with at least 4 points.  Last day out in Dungarvan, they were a match for the Deise for over an hour of that game.  The final scoreline certainly wasn’t a fair reflection on the game from a Saffron point of view and Gleeson told us his side have reacted well to the defeat: “I’m proud of their efforts against one of the top four teams in the country and they’ve reacted superbly.  They’ve got back on the horse and very much focussed on the next game.”

Going down to 14 men and the loss of key players had a massive impact on the Saffrons gameplan.  The Antrim challenge wilted late on the south coast and the Antrim manager gave us his take on it: “Playing with 14 men for maybe 50 minutes when you take in the injury time at the end of the first half along with losing Neil (McManus), Seaan (Elliott) who was having a really good game and James (McNaughton) who took a couple of really heavy blows.  One of them certainly should have been a straight red card.”

Gleeson confirmed Elliott and McNaughton’s withdrawals against Waterford were down to concussion.  Both have been cleared for Sunday’s game but the news isn’t as positive for Conal Bohill who is ruled out through injury.  He continued: “They (Watrerford) were able to have an impact off the bench going into the final quarter.  We couldn’t do that with having to make changes early in the game but look I’m proud of how they performed.

“We hurled more consistently against Waterford.  In the previous matches we hurled in patches and I suppose that can be down to coming off the back of a pre-season where the lads maybe aren’t regularly together and with the Dunloy lads coming back late into the panel would have an effect on that also.”

Gleeson knows the magnitude of Sunday’s fixture and is wary of the challenge the O’Moore County will bring to Corrigan Park.  “They (Laois) are under new management now (Willie Maher) but by enlarge it’s the same group of players that we’ve seen with maybe the exception of one or two.  They have four or five high end payers and will bring an endeavour and work-rate but we’ll concentrate on ourselves and what we want to bring.  Last year there was plenty said about the game against Laois and how they targeted the game and ambushed us.  There was no ambush.  We didn’t play with the level of intensity that we showed we could through last year.  They targeted that game and we went flat out every time.”

Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunikett stepped down as Laois manager last June and they are now under the tutelage of Willie Maher.  Himself also a Tipperary native and led the Premier County to All-Ireland minor success in 2012.  He has Waterford hurling legend Dan Shanahan and Eamon Jackman as part of his backroom team but the 2023 season is taking a familiar journey for the O’Moore County.

Last year, they seemed to target the Antrim game as a means to staying in the top flight.  They certainly performed much better that day in Portlaoise than at any time in their previous outings in 2022.  Seeing off the Antrim challenge with late scores from PJ Scully and Cha Dwyer, despite playing with 14 men for

The likes of Paddy Purcell, Cha Dwyer and PJ Scully are names those who follow Antrim around the country will be familiar with while Tom Phelan’s goal last day out against Kilkenny coming off the bench may give Willie Maher and his backroom team food for thought when they are finalising their 15 for Sunday.

Sunday represents Antrim’s biggest game of 2023.  There’s no doubt about it.  It’s a must win game and Gleeson wants to see a huge crowd in Corrigan to get behind his side: “Sunday’s massive.  I would love for a big crowd to get out and get behind these lads.  Show the team that they mean something to them and this county.”

Antrim have brought back Ryan Elliott to between the sticks.  Gleeson called this a massive call by him but did say the Dunloy netminder has been superb in training since.  Gleeson also told us that Paul Boyle is unlucky to miss out but how he has been impressed with the injection of young talent into the squad this year.  “I’m delighted with how the younger lads have handled themselves” said Gleeson, “they’ll continue to be given a chance so long as this management team are together.”  Eoin Trainor and Christy McGarry will be involved with the U20s on Saturday while Seamy McAuley and Rian McMullan will both be part of the match day squad as will Domhnal Nugent.  The St John’s man has been out for nine month but the Antrim manager said he’s been putting in a mountain of work and will be an option if needed against Laois.

The game is being shown on the BBC iPlayer but if ever there was a time to use the old GAA adage of “Nothing beats being there” it’s now.  Forget about the snow and the ice, the iPlayers.  Corrigan Park is the place to be on Sunday.  Lets get behind our county and provide the 16^th man.

When they last met….

Laois 1-20 Antrim 1-19

6^th March 2022

Antrim’s chances of remaining in Division 1B are hanging by a thread after Sunday’s narrow defeat by Laois in Sunday’s crucial Division 1B game in O’Moore Park, Portaloise. When Paddy Burke’s brilliant point put Antrim ahead as the game entered injury time, it looked like the Saffrons had pulled it out of the fire, despite an awful first half display. However their failure to take the chances that came their way were to cost them badly, and the home team rallied to level through a PJ Scully free before a late, late point from play by Cha Walsh sealed the win and left the Saffron rueing their 18 wides overall.

Despite a greats start which saw Neil McManus, Michael Bradley and Conal Cunning put them 0-3 to 0-0 ahead after just two minutes there was a slackness to Antrim’s play that lacked the intensity we have seen in other games in this campaign….

Laois: Enda Rowland (0-01, 1f); Diarmuid Conway, Sean Downey, Podge Delaney; Liam O’Connell, Ryan Mullaney, Mark Dowling; Jack Kelly, Fiachra C Fennell; Paddy Purcell (1-01), James Keyes (0-02), Ross King; Willie Dunphy (0-02), Cha Dwyer (0-04), Stephen Maher (0-08; 4f, 2 ‘65)

Subs: PJ Scully (0-02, 1f) for Dowling (50); Aidan Corby for King (56); Stephen Bergin for Maher (71)

Antrim: Ryan Elliott; David Kearney (0-01), Gerard Walsh (0-01), Stephen Rooney; Paddy Burke (0-02), Eoghan Campbel (0-01)l, Ryan McGarry; Keelan Molloy, Daniel McKernan; Michael Bradley (0-02), Domhnall Nugent, Conal Cunning (0-02); Seann Elliott (0-01), Neil McManus (1-07; 7f), Ciaran Clarke (0-02)

Subs: Conor McCann for Elliott, James McNaughton for Nugent (HT); Conor Johnston for Kearney (59); Eoin O’Neill for Molloy (62); Ryan McCambridge for Bradley (69)

Starting 15 for Sunday’s game with Laois..

1. Ryan Elliott
2. Paddy Burke
3. Ryan McGarry
4. Stephen Rooney
5. Joe Maskey
6. Gerard Walsh
7. Niall O’Connor
8. Michael Bradley
9. James McNaughton
10. Keelan Molloy
11. Niall McKenna
12. Nigel Elliott
13. Conal Cunning
14. Neil McManus
15. Conor Johnston

The Antrim Senior Hurling Team, in partnership with Balmoral Golf Club, is proud to present the upcoming Antrim Senior Hurling Golf Classic on Friday 14th April 2023 at Balmoral Golf Club in Belfast. This event has seen great success in the past, and we look forward to another exciting tournament this year.

A team of four players (four ball) can enter the Antrim Senior Hurling Golf Classic for £200, which will cover the round of golf, entry to win great prizes, and a meal afterwards in the clubhouse restaurant.

Antrim Senior Hurlers would be delighted to have you or your business on board as a sponsor of the event. For a cost of £100, your name or business logo will be showcased on the first hole as players begin to play and get photos throughout the entire day.

Cash donations are acceptable and please make any cheques payable to Antrim GAA.

Space is limited, call Stephen on 077 1045 9829 or email antrimseniorhurlers@gmail.com now to book.

Ulster Under 20 Hurling Championship – round robin 2

Down 0-18 Antrim 1-17

Antrim made it two wins out of two in the Ulster Under 20 Hurling Championship when they got the better of Down at Portaferry on Saturday in a game that was tense and tight from start to finish. In face the only time there was any daylight between the two teams was in the opening five minute when the boys from the Ards took a 0-3 to 0-0 lead, and in the end it took a goal from Antrim’s Joe McLaughlin and two outstanding saves from goalkeeper Eoghan Richmond, and four points from play by substitute Cormac McKeown to get the Saffrons across the line with their noses in front.

The first half turned out to be a shoot-out between Down’s ace marksman Tom McGrattan and Antrim’s Aodhan McGarry, both players showing great accuracy from placed balls. McGrattan accounted for seven of his team’s nine points, the other two coming from Fionn Turpin and Michael Dorrian, while McGarry got six for Antrim with Aidan Scullion, Niall McGarrel and Joe McLaughlin getting the others.

Level at 0-9 apiece at the interval, Goalkeeper Richmond was called upon soon after the change of ends when he pulled off a great double save. They were still level seven minutes into the second half when the introduction of substitute Cormac McKeown starred to see Antirm edge ahead, the Glenravel teenager hitting four from play, between there and the end, three of them coming in the last ten minutes. Joe McLaughlin struck a vital goal after a good flowing move and netminder Richmond denied McGrattan from a penalty to get Antrim home by the shin of their teeth.  

ANTRIM

Eoghan Richmond, Ben McGarry, Ruairi McCormick, Dubaltach Wilson, Daire McMullan, Eoin Trainor, Conor Dickson, Eoin McFerran, Aodhan McGarry (0-6), Joseph McLaughlin (1-0), Seanie McIntosh (0-1), Luke O’Connor, Niall McGrrell (0-4), Aidan Scullion (0-1), Jack MCloskey (0-2)

Subs –

Cormac McKeown (0-04) for Aidan Scullion HT

Ryan Mort for Luke O’Connor 43 Mins

Diarmaid Rogan for Joseph McLaughlin
55 mins

Darragh Kelly for Seanie McIntosh
55 mins

Ronan McCollum for Niall McGarel
59 mins

DOWN

Cathal Laverty, James Higgins, Declan Mallon, Eoin Pucci, Ciaran Milligan, Ciaran Savage, Finn McFall, Ryan O’Neill, Finn Turpin, Ehtan Bell, James Duggan, Sean Milligan, Michael Dorrian, Tom McGrattan, Oisin Coulter.

Tiernan Smyth will make his debut in goals for Antrim in Sunday’s National Hurling League Division 1B game against Waterford at Fraher Field, Dungravan. The Ballycastle clubman has just joined the senior panel this year and gets the nod this time out, while there is one change on the full back line of the team that faced Dublin last time out at Parnell Park.

Stephen Rooney comes in at corner back instead for Phelim Duffin, (although in the opposite corner) with Paddy Walsh moving back to right back and Ryan McGarry continuing on the edge of the ‘square’.

The half back line against Dublin is maintained in its entirety with Gerard Wash on the right, team captain Eoghan Campbell in the centre and Conal Bohill on the left.

Michael Bradley maintains his position at midfield where he is joined by Paul Boyle, who comes in for his first start. The Loughgiel man came on as a sub against the Dubs but has been chosen from the start this time around, taking Keelan Molloy’s place as the Dunloy man switches to left half forward. Niall McKenna move in to the 40 after starting on the wing last time out while Neill McManus is on the right of that line, just as he was in Dublin.

Conor Johnston, who started on the edge of the square against Dublin, is out through injury and so James Naughton moves in to his position from centre forward, while the two corner forwards are the Dunloy duo of Conal Cunning and Seaan Elliott, just as they were the last time out.

A tough encounter lies ahead for the boys in Saffron, and with a throw in time of 1pm there won’t be too many Antrim fans making the journey down.  

Walsh Cup Leinster Hurling –  Group One

Galway 1-31 Antrim 2-15

Henry Shefflin’s Galway were just too sharp for Antrim at Darver on Saturday in the Walsh Cup as they ran up a big score in this, the final round, of group games.

Galway’s ability to pick off their scores was to prove vital, as Antrim were off target on too many occasions to be competitive. The Saffrons had plenty of possession during the opening quarter but just one point from six early attempts put them on the back foot. Galway on the other hand were much more economical, and had 13 different players on the scoreboard. The looked like running away with the game nearing half time, but a great save by goalkeeper Ciaran Smyth and a goal shortly afterwards at the other end from corner forward Rian McMullan kept the Saffrons in touch and they went in at the break just six in arrears.

Despite the defeat there were many things in the performance to be optimistic about and in team captain Eoghan Campbell they had a player who matched anything on show.  

Jason Flynn put Galway ahead and they went two clear before  McKenna hit back for the Saffrons. However they were paying the price for wayward shooting, but despite being off target on five occasions they managed to draw level on 3 points apiece.

The Tribesmen upped the pace and soon they had drawn well clear as Collins and Mannion picked off some excellent scores.

Late replacement Seamus McAuley pulled on back but Galway all but put the game beyond them as they came back with a goal and five, the goal coming from full forward Jarlath Mannion.  

The gap was soon out to ten and it looked like it would be more when Mannion got in on goal once again, but a great save from Tiernan Smyth turned the ball onto the crossbar and when Rian McMullan fired home at the other end soon afterwards the gap was back to a respectable six points by the time refeee Eamonn Furlong sounded the half time whistle

Antrim needed a good start to the second half if they were to stay within touch, but when the Tribesmen opened with five points on the spin the gap was simply too big.

Galway kept their foot to the pedal and increase their lead, but ‘Sammy’ O’Neill kept Antrim’s slim hopes alive when he won a stray puc-out and fired it back past Fahy in the Galway goal

As a raft of substitutes were introduced Antrim managed to match Galway in the final quarter with substitutes as Paul Boyle, Conor Johnston and Gerard Walsh all got on the scoreboard, but the Galway were home and hosed by this stage as they set up a final meeting with Wexford at Croke Park next weekend.

ANTRIM: T Smyth; D McMullan, P Burke, N O’Connor; C McKernan, E Campbell, S Walsh; D McKernan, J Maskey (0-1); M Bradley (0-1), S McAuley (0-1), N McKenna (0-4); E O’Neill (1-0), N McManus (0-4, 3f), R McMullan (1-0)

Subs: G Walsh (0-1) for C McKernan (46), E McAlonan (0-1) for D McKernan (46), C Johnston (0-1) for R McMullan (46), S Rooney for S Walsh (46), P Boyle (0-1) for J Maskey (46), E Og McGarry for N McKenna (56), A Bradley for S McAuley (60), E Trainor for D McMullan (65), C McGarry for E O’Neill (65)

GALWAY: M Fahy; O Salmon, J Fitzpatrick, D Morrissey; S Ryan, Joseph Cooney (0-1), J Canning (0-1); R Glennon (0-1), G Lee (0-2); S O’Hanlon (0-4), J Flynn (0-6, 3f, 2 65s), K Hanney (0-2); M Kennedy (0-1), J Mannion (1-3), L Collins (0-6)

Subs: J Grealish for J Canning (HT), D MacLoughlin (0-2) for J Mannion (46), K Cooney for L Collins (49), C Fahy (0-1) for K Hanney (53), E Murphy for M Fahy (55), John Cooney for M Kennedy (59), T Monaghan (0-1) for Joseph Cooney (60), S Linnane for D Morrissey (65)

REFEREE: Eamonn Furlong (Wexford)