21 February 2011
At one stage late in the first half of the hurling clash yesterday I posted a tweet in which I wondered was a Wexford style comeback on the cards. The message was born more from hope than faith so when the comeback did materialise it was all the more welcome. Oh the frustration at the end of the match, when having dragged Clare back level (on two occasions!) after being 11 behind at one stage, Antrim never managed to get in front. It was as though the effort of drawing level had drained the saffron hurlers so that when Clare got a dubious free at the end, we had no answer. Dinny and Ollie Baker preferred to look on the positive after the game and there was much to be encouraged about. Antrim look a shade quicker than at this stage last year, and fitter too. Hopefully there are better days ahead for the hurlers.
When that whistle blew, thoughts turned to Portlaoise where the footballers were looking for their first win of the campaign. Antrim started off the game in enterprising fashion despite a number of late changes to the team and playing against the strong wind. We were 2 points to 1 up after a few minutes with the re instated Kevin Brady proving a very effective link man and finisher. Antrim had plenty of first half possession but just could not get the ball into the scoring area with too many moves frequently breaking up in the half forward line.
A half time score of Laois 1.7 to Antrim’s 0.5 seemed to indicate that the game was still well within Antrim’s reach. In the first few minutes of the second half Kevin Brady had a goal bound effort hit the post closely followed by a save by the Laois goalie from a Kevin McGourty effort at a tight angle. Antrim dominated possession in the 2nd half and when Laois went down to 14 men, losing influential midfielder Brendan Quigley, the sizeable Antrim support thought the game was there for the taking. That possession was not translated into scores however and having narrowed the gap to 1 point, two scoring chances were spurned in favour of a pass which ultimately led nowhere. The second opportunity lost was particularly disappointing as Laois raced up the field to open up a two point lead. Antrim were never to get as close again and Laois finished off the game in effective fashion.
The margin of defeat puts an unrealistic gloss on the game and in fact it looked for long periods that the saffrons would travel home with at least one point from the encounter. It was a more encouraging performance than the opening game V Kildare, and it is to be hoped the improvement graph continues upwards this Saturday night V Meath.
Yesterday was a frustrating day to be an Antrim follower. Let’s all hang in there – faith will be rewarded.
