25 April 2010
The long awaited day out in Croke Park for Antrim ended in disappointment. Too many players, for what ever reason, could not find their form on the night; by contrast Sligo players were fired up and simply went all out to win, from the throw in; with all guns blazing. There was some evidence in the second half, of what Antrim are capable of, when so minded to play and compete to win, but on this occasion it was a case of too little too late, seemingly all too easily countered by a very well prepared Sligo team.
We were visibly in trouble by half time, trailing by four points. However, we got back into the game for a perhaps 10 minute spell, early in the second half and put four points along with a superbly worked goal, which was finished in style by Michael Mc Cann, in a very short space of time. But this determined rally was halted, when Sligo saw and sensed the imminent danger; again lifting their game and exploding into attacking action. Sligo players were consistent and sustained their fiery momentum; it brought them a further 10 points in the second half.
With the exception of a brief glimpse of what Antrim can do, this was not a good performance on the day for us. Almost anything can happen in Gaelic games and all too often it does. This defeat might however serve some useful purpose, perhaps by way of a reality check, before the commencement of the Championship. We won’t progress as and until we have the ability to demonstrate and maintain the level of hunger and sustained fire power as displayed by Sligo.
There is in truth no loss of dignity when a game is fought to the wire, irrespective of the ultimate outcome, but this was not such a game and the bitter truth is that we did not enhance, protect or preserve our new found reputation and respect for all that has been achieved to date. Some might wish to suggest that with promotion already assured this was not really adjudged to be a match of any real significance but that would be a poor excuse. Pride was and always is at stake; that is perhaps why Sligo came to this game both fired up and hungry; they left Antrim with the bloody nose.
Maybe this is a good lesson for Antrim, hopefully a real wake up call, at the right time perhaps? Some in Tyrone might even be a little less apprehensive now, assuming that they were ever anxious in the first instance. Antrim players now have four weeks to regroup and recover, concentrating on all players reaching the required fitness level and just as importantly, another four weeks to cultivate that resolute and positive mindset, as demonstrated last night by Sligo.
An Ulster Championship is the reward for attaining such a goal; it won’t be easy but then it never was meant to be and therefore rewards can be a lifetime achievement for the players. Any player can have an off day and most invariably do from time to time but when too few players fail to perform to their true potential there is a price to pay; we just picked up that bill of costs.
Finally the Down Armagh League final today, was one of those occasions, where by contrast, it was essentially anyone’s game, right up to the final whistle. The game was riveting to watch, a real crowd pleaser in every respect. It had of necessity to end in defeat for one or other but importantly it ended with both teams gaining further admiration and respect for the valiant effort put into this tough contest. Losing is not the end of the world but defeat is never sweet and anything short of a full team effort, with all guns blazing, end to end, is all but bound to result in some soul searching and bitter disappointment for some.
Scorer; Michael Mc Cann I Goal; Paddy Cunningham 6p, [1from Free] Aodhan Gallagher 1; Tomás Cunningham 1; CJ Mc Gourty1; Gerard O’ Boyle 1; Ciaran Close 1.
