11 May 2011
This is a big weekend coming up for Antrim GAA with both senior teams, and of course the minor footballers, kicking off their respective championship campaigns. The footballers travel to Ballybofey on Sunday and on Saturday evening, in Portlaoise, Antrim hurlers make their third foray into the Leinster Hurling Championship and centre half back Michael Herron reckons it’s time the Saffrons recorded a win in Leinster.
“We are looking at this one as a must win game. After losing to Dublin two years ago and then drawing with Offaly last year before losing in extra time, we think it’s time we got a win in Leinster. This game isn’t in Croke Park or maybe is not as high profile but it is no less important than the other. Laois will be looking at this match as one they can win as well but we are all up for it. You can always tell when the championship is coming up in the Antrim camp – the training levels go up, the intensity goes up and at this stage we are raring to get started. Everyone wants to be involved and believe me when the team was named there were a few disappointed people. That’s as it should be – everyone wants to pull on the shirt and perform.”
Micko thinks the recent league defeat to Laois will have no bearing on this game. “They won in the league but we did have Eddie McCloskey sent off just as our second half performance was getting some momentum. But anyway, there is a big difference between league and championship, this Saturday will be a whole new game. We know how important it is.”
The highlight of last summer’s hurling season was a Croke Park win over Dublin, who have since gone on to win the League title. Michael Herron looks at what they achieved and says it can be a motivating factor.
“We beat Dublin last summer and games between us two have always been close over the years. We see what they have achieved now by bringing consistency to their game. We want to win things too so maybe we can take a lesson from the Dublin approach. That starts this weekend against Laois.”
