29 March 2012
Jerry Wallace is looking ahead to this weekend’s league game V Limerick, with the same aim he had the week prior to the opening tie with Wexford. “I want Antrim to be competitive. In every game we play, in every sector of the field. I want it to become an established hurling fact – Antrim are a competitive team, no matter who we play.”
In two home games so far this year, Antrim have come from behind to take all the points on offer, last Sunday against Laois was an ever greater comeback than that against Wexford. Jerry told us today he had no sound reason why the opening 40 minutes was so lethargic.
“It won’t do this weekend, I don’t even need to say that. But it means that we hurled for just about 25 minutes and in that period we scored 2.14. In our away games we were in there for long periods and we actually finished the Offaly game quite strongly. The way it has worked out now we really have something to play for this Sunday. I hope the fact that a Divisional final may be the prize brings out the best in the team, and brings out a good number of supporters. We want to give the Antrim fans something to shout about.
“But we all know that Limerick are a very strong team, a strong hurling county. They have the tradition and the base to drsw players from. They have been strong lately and are already a way ahead of their opening performance against Clare. We are aware of that and we know how difficult Sunday is going to be.”
I asked Jerry about the re integration of Loughgiel players and the challenges that throws up.
“The fellas have all been hurling, but in a different competition. So we need them to get tuned into Antrim’s campaign and used to a different set up. It is an advantage to have some of the available to us at this stage, but then again we have used a large number of players so far. I will always be looking for new players, different players, and I hope to see as many club league and championship games as I can.”
What are you looking for on Sunday Jerry? The answer is no surprise. “I want us to be competitive for 70 mins all over the field. If that gets us a win, all the better.”
There have been some terrific league matches at home over the years and we have seen memorable wins in the modern era over including against Wexford, Galway, Offaly, Laois and Dublin. There have been narrow defeats to Clare on a couple of occasions. There is certainly a good feeling about the Antrim hurling camp these days.
Watching Antrim in hurlers in full flight in Casement, taking the fight to the opposition is a sight to see. I wouldn’t miss Sunday if I were you.
Brendan Mulgrew
Antrim PRO
