13 May 2010
There is no doubt that the prospect of Antrim senior footballers facing up to Tyrone is now on many minds on a daily basis and will continue to be in the days running up to this classic encounter. It is both natural and inevitable that there will be reservations and with them more than a few fears. However, Tyrone are far from being invincible on any day and whilst no one could or should try to underestimate their achievements to date, that is not to say that they have any right to induce feelings of irratioinal fear or panic within Antrim.
Tyrone can be quite ordinary in many situations; they make their share of mistakes and as with all others have to pay the price, as with their recent league performance. It is all too easy to suggest that the league is of no consequence. That is just too convenient for camouflage but in the final analysis County pride is always at stake. Yes, on their record, they have invariably come good when it really counts but they are perhaps the subject of more than a few myths and are not averse to using smoke and mirrors to bolster their reputation.
Antrim need focus, albeit intense, on being the best that they can be, both individually and collectively as a team, for some 70 to 75, minutes on the day. It is invariably the case that intense, applied and sustained focus changes everything and determines outcome. The reward for Antrim senior footballers is deepening and lasting respect, something long overdue and now within both sight and touching distance. Intense focus upon winning increases belief and feeds drive and determination; by default it pushes out the jitters; filling the active mind with positivity.
If and when mistakes are made so be it; dismiss the error, curse if you will and most do, but drive on with ruthless intent, to retrieve the situation for best outcome but win the next ball as consolation, at any cost, [within the rules ļ] in a worst case scenario. Mindset, in fierce competition, is everything, where match fitness has to be taken as a given. The strong mind will carry through, even where the body is being severely tested.
Antrim senior footballers were for long the butt of sick jokes along with all too much scorn and ridicule. They have now exorcised those demons and in terms of Gaa team spirit they are of age. As with any learning process there have been a few unforced errors but that is normal and that is now essentially history. There is more to do and this match is but another opportunity and another hurdle, as in a race; it should be seen only as such and taken with great care and measured determination.
By contrast, thoughts of defeat ¡V back door - don¡¦t even go there. Maybe we should, if only dwell albeit briefly on what is at stake if Antrim lose. Will we be selling ourselves short ¡V many might want to claim so? If this turns out to be the mother of all competitive matches and we are beaten then we will certainly not be letting ourselves down but that should be the least that we will settle for by way of outcome. As always the spoils go the victor.
As underdogs Antrim have to carry the monkey on their backs going into this match but this is an opportunity and always remember that David ¡¥couped¡¦ Goliath before! Better it be that Antrim become the monkey on the backs of others for a change.
Respect has to be earned as of right, to have any real worth, in any walk of life but in the case of Gaa, respect can linger and often does for life, so it is worth every ounce of the effort put in and every minute of the pain endured. Imagine that feeling of achievement in toppling Tyrone, a celebrated County and almost an icon in Ulster GAA.
A short time ago, few really believed it possible but things have and are changing. Yes, emphatically, it is possible and the time is now right, but only if each and every individual player raises his mental state, focuses upon winning, not just playing another game and plays to his personal best. Good luck lads you have earned a lot of respect ¡V go on, one determined step at a time and finish the job.
Lawrence Smyth County PRO.
