21 February 2010
Antrim Hurling fans should be pleased with the way the game went today; accepting that there are some significant absentees and therefore some essential trialling going on; again the game was played in winter conditions. However, as with the senior football panel, some players have had their attention and duty focused elsewhere showing their allegiance to club in the first instance. And here again there are some absences through injury, so all things considered these remaining lads not only worked hard but they also delivered on the day, so all due credit to them.
This match was very much a mixed bag, rather than one of quality hurling, as might be expected much later in the season. But what will go on record is that Antrim Senior hurlers did enough to keep the expectant Carlow forwards at bay and ultimately send them home again disappointed. Staying power is invariably vitally important in Gaelic games, given the relentless pressure upon players. Staying power is fast becoming a characteristic of Antrim teams and that too was much in evidence again today. Antrim senior teams no longer lack the necessary tenacity and staying power needed in tough battles.
Antrim’s half forward line was notably tough and determined today and essentially that dictated the result, when they took overall control of the game. Antrim midfield would appear to have some gaps with remedial work still to do. Carlow were allowed to look a bit too good, too often, in this area. Ball control was evidently more difficult in these harsh conditions but there was some evidence of an apparent Achilles heel, when Carlow scrambled two soft goals by following in on the high ball – Antrim backs were well tested and otherwise stood up to Carlow on many occasions; the soft goals coming only from a mucky melee.
All in all, this was a good day Antrim hurling and the start to the Allianz National Hurling League that Dinny and crew needed; it has many parallels with senior football and was at times a really tough battle for some of these lads but they held their nerve and otherwise coped well against a team expected to win on the day. It just goes to show that nothing can ever be taken for granted and that Antrim hurling is far from dead or in the doldrums; this was a good upset. Well done lads.
Man of the match today went to Barry Mc Faul and he was presented with a watch by Dinny Cahill, on behalf of our main sponsors Creagh Concrete.
Lawrence Smyth Antrim County PRO.
