18 August 2011
Antrim have one remaining representative team in the 2011 championships, and they take their place centre stage this Saturday when our Under 21 hurlers take on Dublin in the All Ireland semi final this Saturday at 4pm in Newry.
Speaking to the county website, manager Dominic Kearns acknowledged the difficulties faced by our U21 players, but remained defiantly upbeat about the opportunity facing the young Saffrons this weekend.
“The u21 campaign is a difficult championship to prepare an Antrim team for, particularly as we don’t have competitive matches during the year like the other teams in the competition. In Ulster this year we didn’t even get to play a semi final, so the 2 point win over Armagh was the first outing for our boys and now they are pitched straight into an All Ireland semi final. Given that the senior management team look after the U21’s as well, it’s an added pressure.
“We know about Dublin, and everyone knows that Dublin hurling is on a roll at the moment. They are a well prepared team on and off the field. The investment which has been put in over the last decade in the capital is paying off and that can be seen across all grades. In fact their model could be seen as a guide for those counties like our own that want to make a major breakthrough. Any team which emerges from the Leinster U21 championship deserves respect, it is a very competitive province at that level.”
Dominic says it is no surprise the metropolitans are favourites for this match.
“One of our selectors is from Dublin and we have seen them in the Leinster championship. They are strong across the field so they are big favourites for this match.”
Dominic looks back to Croke Park last July and takes confidence from that match.
“Dublin senior team were big favourites last year too to beat Antrim and we all know what happened. There is absolutely no question that our U21 hurlers are a talented bunch, we are well aware of that so if we go at it from the outset and have belief in ourselves, we can certainly take the game to Dublin. We have been urging our lads to make sure they leave nothing behind on Saturday.”
How can Antrim win the game?
“A solid start is very important and hopefully we can get the rub of the green as well. We will want to move up a gear from the Ulster Final and we really need our experienced players to perform on the day. If we match Dublin for their intensity and physicality we will undoubtedly be in with a shout. That is our aim.”
If the U21’s play to their full potential, and match the senior team’s efforts of last year there is every chance that Antrim’s inter county season will still be going strong after this weekend.
Best of luck to our hurlers on Saturday.