Sport

Antrim aim to continue winning start when Kildare come for visit

Eddie McCloskey was persuaded back into the Antrim fold by new manager PJ O'Mullan and renowned trainer Gavin Duffy
Eddie McCloskey was persuaded back into the Antrim fold by new manager PJ O'Mullan and renowned trainer Gavin Duffy Eddie McCloskey was persuaded back into the Antrim fold by new manager PJ O'Mullan and renowned trainer Gavin Duffy

NHL Division 2A: Antrim v Kildare (Sunday, Ballycastle, 2pm)

PJ O’MULLAN’S side are virtually unbackable to emerge victorious in Sunday’s Division 2A clash against Kildare but, in the circumstances, complacency really shouldn’t be a factor.

Since the divisions were restructured four years ago, the league hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the Antrim hurlers. In 2012, the Saffrons managed two victories; in 2013, their sole win came against Carlow; and over the last two seasons, a relegation play-off win against Offaly in March 2014 was - until last weekend - all they had to show for their league efforts.

Staring into a five-point deficit at half-time against Derry last Sunday - as if they needed any further evidence of the pitfalls of league hurling - PJ O’Mullan’s side eventually ran out comfortable winners.

Antrim forward Eddie McCloskey has cautioned against complacency derailing their promotion hopes, but he admits it was satisfying to get a win of any sort against the Oak Leafers.

“We can’t let it creep in like it did last Sunday, Kildare are tough opponents and we’re in unfamiliar territory, we’re expecting a tough game,” McCloskey said.

“It was mentioned in the changing rooms after the game that it was our first league win in two or three years. It’s demoralising getting beaten week-in, week-out and maybe not seeing any light at the end of the tunnel. It’s nice to get a win and have something to build on.”

Cahair O'Kane and Andy Watters give their thoughts on this weekend's National Hurling League fixtures

He added: “Sometimes you have to go back to go forward, we’re down a division and we’re hoping to get a bit of momentum, it’s wonderful what a few wins can do for your morale.”

Kildare are a side worthy of Antrim’s respect. When Brian Lawlor, who quit last August, called on 40 players in the county to attend his first meeting as manager two years ago, only 15 men showed. Yet in the intervening two years, the Lilywhites have gone undergone a marked improvement, and freshly installed manager Joe Quaid has a job on his hands to live up to the achievements of his predecessor - albeit winning the pre-season Kehoe Cup was a pretty good start towards that end.

Kildare travel to Ballycastle following last year’s blemish-free Division 2B campaign, racking up convincing wins against Down and Armagh on their way to promotion. Quaid, a two-time Allstar winner with Limerick, saw his charges fall to a 2-13 to 0-14 defeat to Carlow in their Division 2A league opener last weekend. Kildare were leading at 0-10 to 0-4 at one stage but, much like Derry against Antrim, they eventually wilted under the pressure of their opposition.

Although Quaid’s side are as far out as 15/2 to win, McCloskey isn’t taking anything for granted, with only the top team assured of promotion: “If you look at last week’s results, Laois could be there or thereabouts [at the bottom of Division 1B], our main goal is to finish top or in the top two, so we’d have the opportunity to play the bottom team in Division 1B."

PJ O’Mullan has made only one change for the first league match at home under his watch, with Jackson McGreevy coming in for James Black. McCloskey keeps his place and the trainee teacher reports that he is enjoying life back with Antrim after a one-year hiatus.

“I had a few extensive chats with PJ and Gavin [Quinn], I’ve a lot of commitments outside of hurling and they convinced me to give it a good go and that they’d be willing to work with me,” he said.

“It’s a big year for me - with Gavin being a teacher and going through the PGCE himself, he understands the requirements of that. I haven’t needed to take time off, I’ve been able to fully commit to hurling and I’ve been enjoying it, which is the main thing. We’re building something and I want to be part of that, it’s hard to explain, but I’m just feeling comfortable enjoying my hurling.”

A win on Sunday for Antrim is the expected outcome, but that brings its own pressure. Kildare have the potential to surprise a few people, but the safe money’s on the Saffrons - even if it won’t make you rich.

TEAM NEWS


Antrim: G McTaggart; O McFadden, N McAuley (capt), C McKinley; S McCrory, C Johnston, B McFall; K McKernan, J McGreevy; E McCloskey, N McKenna, D Nugent; C Johnston, L Watson, C Clarke.