Hurling & Camogie

Ollie Bellew: Antrim U21 will throw everything at Waterford

Former St. Gall's manager Ollie Bellew only got the call to manager Antrim U21s at the end of June. Picture by Colm O'Reilly
Former St. Gall's manager Ollie Bellew only got the call to manager Antrim U21s at the end of June. Picture by Colm O'Reilly Former St. Gall's manager Ollie Bellew only got the call to manager Antrim U21s at the end of June. Picture by Colm O'Reilly

WATERFORD’S Munster U21 final win over Tipperary last month “came with an 18+ rating” for Antrim as the Saffrons prepare for Saturday’s All-Ireland semi-final.

The Déise turned in a superb second half performance to secure their first provincial title at the grade in 22 years in front of almost 9,000 people.

On the same evening in a sparsely-populated Loughgiel, Derry went in at half-time four points up on the reigning Ulster champions, but Antrim recovered after the break to reverse that margin by the end.

While Waterford appointed an U21 management team of Sean Power and recently retired stars Paul Flynn and Eoin Kelly back in January, Antrim’s Ollie Bellew only got an SOS call at the tail end of June.

With senior stars such as Hurler of the Year contender Austin Gleeson, Shane and Stephen Bennett, Patrick Curran and Tom Devine at their disposal, it’s little surprise that the bookmakers have Waterford as short as 1/500 to win on Saturday.

Having only had a handful of meaningful training sessions together since taking over, Bellew hasn’t spent his time poring over videos of Waterford and working out how to curtail them.

“I don’t know if I wanted to watch it [the Munster final] to be honest, it sort of came with an 18+ rating for us,” he smiles.

“We’ve a good bunch of boys. Given the situation we’re in, we’re not going to look at Waterford in any great depth. My job is to get the best out of Antrim hurlers.

“There’s no point me looking at something I can’t control. All I can look at is the boys I have on the pitch.

“I’ve got to hope that I’ve selected the right way, that we’ve taught them in the right way and mentally prepared them in the right way.

“We’re not going down to do anything other than throw everything at it. We can only do that by trying to get the best out of our performance and not worry about anybody else’s.”

The St. Gall’s man, who guided his club to their first Antrim senior hurling final two years ago, didn’t need to review the tape too often to get a handle on the calibre of opponent they will face.

He will at least have captain Ryan McCambridge and key forward James Connolly back at his disposal, while Christy McNaughton could start having come off the bench against Derry after a late introduction to the panel.

Defenders Cathal McMullan (fractured fingers) and Ruairi Diamond (leg) will miss out.

Bellew will have been sweating on word from last night’s club league fixtures, in which he was hoping his players would take in no more than a half of their club’s game.

The players’ first commitment being to their clubs in this, the season of club Championship, has not been an issue for the Antrim boss, who has no complaints in that regard.

“They’ve been very good to me with anything I’ve needed, they’ve gone along with me and given me advice, the likes of Johnny Campbell at Loughgiel, John Carson at Cushendall, Ronan Donnelly in Ballycastle. Good, honest men who’ll offer you an opinion and help out with anything you need.

“We’re realists at the same time; we know the best hurling team in the country are here in Saturday lying in wait. We’re not focussing on win, lose or draw.

“The county’s in a bit of a tough predicament at the minute, that players, supporters and everybody else doesn’t want to be in.

“We’re proud hurling people and a proud hurling county. What I’d like the boys to do on Saturday is go out and show what they’re made of.

“I’d love to see them go out on Saturday and showcase themselves, and show a potential manager coming in exactly what we have. The boys we have, if they perform, they’re as good as any in the country.

“They’re just coming from a slightly weaker starting point than Waterford at the minute. I’ve the same apprehensions that everyone has.

“But I’ve known these lads long enough to know that if they cut loose on the day, they’re as good as anybody. I hope they can do themselves, their clubs and their county proud.”