05 July 2010
Antrim fans really turned out in their numbers yesterday and for those who came to Casement early or at least in time to see the second half of the hurling match, it really was a day to remember. Our hurlers were under intense pressure from outset and the way in which they battled to come through this first round qualifier, against the tide, was really something special.
After a difficult start, in contrast to the ease with which they secured their 9th Ulster title, this young and talented hurling team had to dig deep; they carried the day through sheer dogged determination. It is never easy to understand what is going through a referee’s mind but an analysis of the game, by way of revisiting the video evidence, should show clearly that adjudication on the day left a lot to be desired.
The dismay and reaction of so many supporters, on so many occasions, should have been enough to warrant a closer look at this game. When passions are aroused it is all too easy to feel dispirited and when there is an element of doubt some decisions will always appear to be unfair or in error but on all too many occasions yesterday there were blatantly controversial decisions and apparent failures to adjudicate fairly in other situations; where just about everyone else had already made up their mind.
Against all of that Antrim Senior hurlers persevered and prevailed; justice was done and with an epic finish Antrim hurlers won the hearts and minds of their supporters near and far. Carlow came prepared and with the help of a seemingly sympathetic referee it appeared, for a time, that all hope for Antrim hurlers might have been lost but that was to underestimate the tenacity and preparedness of a great saffron hurling Panel. This really was Dinnys day out in the sun and should have put to bed any lingering doubts as to the wisdom of the reappointment.
The football match that followed was not the spectacle that all Antrim players and supporters alike had hoped for and otherwise expected. We were essentially outgunned and seemed to be under intense pressure from outset. The previous battle in Kildare last week had possibly taken its toll on a relatively young and as yet somewhat inexperienced side. We were not prepared for a fired up and evidently hungry Kildare side, who in turn were brutal in their coordinated and sustained onslaught.
It was and is a bitter pill to swallow but on the day a more experienced Kildare side, clearly hardened to doing battle in championship football, proved that their superior experience, strength and tenacity was just a bridge too far, too soon, for a young Antrim squad. That said we should all be proud of what they have achieved to date and applaud their sustained efforts. And yes, we have more to do and lessons to learn but Rome was not built in one day so this was a hard chapter on that learning curve.
Looking back, all of our young warriors have won admiration and respect far and wide. Our hurlers have benefitted greatly from the Leinster experience and demonstrated to all that they have much to offer. The disappointment of our footballers, failing to achieve the double, on the day, certainly hurts our pride but the decision to appoint both managers has been more than justified on their performance to date. Antrim as a county is now well up there and we will all benefit from that. Our young footballers, hurlers and camogues will now have good reason to want to wear their county colours with pride.
The increasing support has fuelled a great revival within our county and there is yet a way to go. Be it hurling, football or camogie our county is now vibrant and very much alive; long may it continue to be that way. Dunsilly is a now very much a work in process project. Many of our clubs have and are improving their playing facilities. Coaching is more widely available to all. In football yesterday we were beaten, so be it but we will rise again and be back. Good luck to our county hurlers – you fought back like lions against all odds and took a great scalp yesterday.
Lawrence Smyth Antrim county PRO.