ANTRIM star Eddie McCloskey believes Meath have lost the element of surprise ahead of Saturday’s Christy Ring Cup replay at Croke Park.
The counties clash at Headquarters after the original fixture ended in farcical circumstances with the Royals being awarded the cup following a score-keeping error.
GAA chiefs ordered a replay after referee John O’Brien admitted his mistake afterwards.
Antrim fine-tuned their preparations for the replay with a comprehensive 3-28 to 0-14 defeat of Derry in Sunday’s Ulster SHC semi-final at the Athletic Grounds.
PJ O’Connell bagged a first half goal on his return to the fold while Ciaran Clarke and substitute Sean McAfee added further majors after the break.
While pleased with how Antrim performed, McCloskey is aware Meath will pose a greater threat on Saturday.
“Irrespective of the other teams, you have to focus on your own performance. I think we went about our business well,” said the Loughgiel man on Sunday.
“From the set-up and the tactics to all the things we want to get right for next week.
“I suppose we are more focused on next week. We went out and we just wanted to see the game out. Obviously we wanted to win but our priorities lie next week in Croke Park.
“That was one of the main points before the game – we wanted to play for the full 70 minutes.
“Again, we can’t take too much away from today, it is going to be a different kettle of fish next week.
“We know what Meath are going to bring to the table. The day against Meath, we only played for 20 or 25 minutes in the first half and then we stopped.
“We are going to have to correct that the next day and play for the full 70 minutes.
“We were moving the ball well and getting into good positions and the boys were shooting well.
“It isn’t going to be like that in Croke Park.
“Probably the biggest disadvantage we had the last day is that we didn’t know much about Meath. Now, we have an insight into what they are capable of.
“We have a chance now to set things right.”
Antrim had put themselves in a winning position when they eased into a nine-point lead approaching the half-hour mark.
However, Neil Heffernan’s goal in the second half gave Meath a lifeline and they gradually reeled their opponents in before Sean Quigley hit what he thought was the winning point in injury-time. However, O’Brien had recorded the score incorrectly and Quigley’s point was in fact an equaliser.
With a place in the Liam MacCarthy Cup at stake for the winners, Saturday’s replay promises to be another tough battle for the Saffrons and McCloskey insists Antrim must deliver a better performance if they are to prevail.
“I won’t say we underestimated them the last day,” he said.
“Going into a Christy Ring Cup final, you want to play well and stamp your authority on the game.
“I think the main problem was we stopped. We were coasting and we let Meath get back in the game before half-time and we couldn’t get going again in the second half.
“Every game is different. We have to stay positive regardless of whether they keep up or go ahead. We have to keep plugging away.
“We have a second chance and we have to do it right and we have to do ourselves justice the next day.”
