05 February 2010
This is the team and panel for the opening round of the Allianz National Football League.
1. SEAN MC GREEVY 16. JOHN FINNUCANE
2. DERMOT MC CANN 17. KEVIN BRADY
3. PAUL DOHERTY 18. PATRICK CAREY
4. KEVIN O BOYLE 19. AARON DOUGLAS
5 TONY SCULLION 20. DAMIEN GAULT
6. JUSTIN CROZIER 21. GERARD O BOYLE
7. DEAGHLAN O HAGAN 22. CONOR MAXWELL
8 .MICHAEL MC CANN 23. CONOR MURRAY
9 BRENDAN HERRON 24. MICHAEL POLLOCK
10. KIERAN CLOSE 25. CHRIS LAVERY
11. TOMAS MC CANN
12. JAMES LOUGHERY
13. PATRICK CUNNINGHAM
14. MICHAEL MAGILL
15. NEIL O CONNELL.
These are the lads who have been grinding away as ‘a team’ since early January, in preparation for the forthcoming Allianz National Football League. One fact, accepted by all successive County Managers is that achievement is a whole team effort and nothing short of that is what it takes to achieve success on the field. Those who await their opportunity to run out as subs are every bit as essential to the outcome of the game as those lucky enough to be chosen for the first 15.
Sligo cannot be taken for granted no more than any other team in the National League and Antrim need to take control of the early game. Yes, they have the grit to come back fighting and that is often the hallmark of great teams but it is important to avoid getting into a situation of having to dig deep too often. The Dr Mc Kenna cup was in many ways all about trying new things and new players and it is largely the same for all but Antrim now need to settle into a totally focused and determined frame of mind so as to go on from the success of last year; they can do that and should be given plenty of encouragement and support.
There is greater competition now within Antrim for a place on a Panel and ultimately on the first fifteen of a team and that is clearly a very healthy sign. It is an honour to be asked to represent your County in GAA in any discipline. Every player will have the task of striving to raise himself to his personal best, in order to ensure that he can gain and then hold his position; there really is no room for the half hearted and that message is getting across. To watch a fully fit team in action is one of the greatest sights imaginable on any playing field; by contrast we can all go back in time to relive the horrors of a situation where only half of the team have made the effort to be match fit.
Winning not everything but it is there for the best in the game and the spoils go home with the winners. Memories of Antrim senior football are often and all but always filled with shattered dreams of winning. We have had a long famine and a lonely time in the wilderness. The present Panel, under the ever watchful eye of ‘the Baker’ has it sights trained upon achievement; they are on a mission to deliver. Confidence will have been raised by last year’s performance; many more players have that essential belief in their ability to succeed. This is where we are at – a job truly well begun.
Lawrence Smyth County PRO.
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