02 April 2011
Antrim hurling stars Neil McManus and Paul Shiels, along with manager Dinny Cahill were on site at Dunsilly this morning when the gates were thrown open to show Antrim gaels the progress made with the Centre for Participation.
Both players predicted a tough encounter with Down tomorrow. It is true that Antrim V Down hurling league matches are routinely close affairs, and Down accounted for the Saffrons last year before the tables were turned in the Ulster Final.
Neil McManus stressed that Down’s win last weekend over Laois may give the Ardsmen added momentum. “They beat Laois last week, the team we play in the first round of the Championship. That will have given them a boost. There is always a buzz about the derby games and I am looking forward to it. We want a bit of momentum of our own before we face Limerick and if we win tomorrow that would be three in a row. It would be a nice win, but it will be hard to get.”
Paul Shiels starts tomorrow and I asked if his injury problems are behind him. “Yes the injury is cleared, this is the first match I’ll start since the tail end of last year. I had a few run outs in the last 20 minutes of a few games and I am looking forward to playing tomorrow. Down definitely had a good result last week and we know for sure they are not easy to beat down there. We’re under no illusions about it being a tough game but we have worked hard – we feel we are ready.”
Antrim are coming off back to back wins over Carlow and Westmeath and the Down game will offer solid preparation for the final match V Limerick and the Championship to come. Down too salvaged something from their season with a deserved win over Laois, one of two teams we have lost to in this campaign. It is set up to be a tight affair, and it is one which Antrim can come out on top.
Brendan Mulgrew