03 March 2011
Antrim are heading into their third National League Division 2 match this Saturday, fully aware that they have a tough assignment on their hands. Speaking to the Antrim website this evening selector Gregory O’Kane recalled that recent clashes with Laois have been very close affairs.
“In the last three or four seasons we have played Laois a fair number of times in the league, the All Ireland series, qualifiers and the Walsh Cup. The balance of victories is pretty even and last year they won by a big score in Casement Park. On Saturday it may well come down to what team wants the victory more.”
O’Kane said that the management team is more than happy with how the season is progressing, even taking the positive side of the one point defeat to Clare last time out.
“Of course we were disappointed not to win against Clare, but after a very poor start we actually controlled the match for long periods, so we can take positives from the match. I think that we are further down the road now than we were at this stage last year.
“Ahead of this match we have injuries to Karl McKeegan and Michael Armstrong who picked up a knock against Clare. That means we will test the strength of the squad. All of the lads are training away and there is a great team spirit there already.”
The Antrim squad and management are aware that Division 2 is a tougher section this year.
“All of the teams in Division 2 are improving, there is a high quality of hurling in this league. We know we have a tough game this weekend and we will be going down to Portlaoise looking for two points.”
