Hurling & Camogie

Pace and power can see Saffrons finish year with a flourish in McDonagh decider

A hamstring injury has sidelined Neil McManus since the opening minutes of Antrim's League final win over Kerry in October - and it remains to be seen whether he will start, or be called upon from the bench, when the Saffrons face the Kingdom in tomorrow's Joe McDonagh Cup final. Picture by Seamus Loughran
A hamstring injury has sidelined Neil McManus since the opening minutes of Antrim's League final win over Kerry in October - and it remains to be seen whether he will start, or be called upon from the bench, when the Saffrons face the Kingdom in tomor A hamstring injury has sidelined Neil McManus since the opening minutes of Antrim's League final win over Kerry in October - and it remains to be seen whether he will start, or be called upon from the bench, when the Saffrons face the Kingdom in tomorrow's Joe McDonagh Cup final. Picture by Seamus Loughran

Joe McDonagh Cup final: Antrim v Kerry (tomorrow, 1pm, Croke Park – live on RTE2)

DARREN Gleeson has watched from the wings as Declan Ryan, Eamon O’Shea, Michael Ryan and fellow Portroe man Liam Sheedy held Tipperary’s fortune in their hands. One inspired decision, or one error of judgment, can make all the difference when margins are at their most fine.

Former Premier goalkeeper Gleeson has seen all those moments unfold from a dressing room bench, but now it is him calling the shots. As Antrim prepare for tomorrow’s Joe McDonagh Cup final against Kerry, will he stick or will he twist?

That is the question on lips across the county as the 2016 All-Ireland winner ponders whether to begin one of Antrim’s biggest games in a decade with or without their most influential figure across that period.

There was a time when it would have been absolutely unthinkable for a fit Neil McManus not to lead the Saffron charge, especially on a day when big game experience takes on a significance all of its own.

But ever since a hamstring injury forced the Cushendall ace out of the Division 2A final win over the Kingdom back on October 17, Antrim haven’t put a foot wrong – victories over Westmeath, Kerry, Meath and a battling draw with Carlow seeing them through to tomorrow’s decider.

Gleeson said last week that McManus could have played in the last round of games against the Royals, but that “it wasn’t the right time for him”. Does that mean tomorrow is the right time? Was he keeping the 32-year-old in cold storage for the big one? Quite possibly.

The Antrim boss admitted it would be “a brave decision” not to play McManus if he was available for selection, however it would also be bold to tinker with a winning team – especially one that so comprehensively dismissed tomorrow’s opponents at Corrigan Park four weeks ago.

That day it was the sheer power and pace of Michael Bradley, Conor McCann, Keelan Molloy, Conor Clarke and, in particular, James McNaughton that tormented the Kerry defence.

An early brace of goals from captain McCann - both owing plenty to the jet-heeled McNaughton - and a third before half-time from Bradley left the Kingdom facing a major uphill battle as they tried to close the gap.

“We’ve accurate forwards all over the field,” said Gleeson.

“People would’ve looked on Michael Bradley early in the year as someone who was doing a lot of work for us out the field, but he hit a pocket of space the other day [against Meath] and banged over eight points. That happens.

“Niall McKenna, who’s been scoring freely all year, he probably had to do more work on his side of the field and didn’t get the scoring opportunities. But we have the ability to score from everywhere, which is great.”

Kerry boss Fintan O’Connor will be wary of Antrim’s speed out of the blocks tomorrow but, given the space available to stretch the legs at Croke Park, Gleeson won’t want a side so full of confidence to ease into the game – he’ll surely be telling them to go for the jugular having reaped such rich dividends the last day.

Indeed, having McManus as an option, no matter how he chooses to deploy him, only adds to the embarrassment of riches at the Antrim boss’s disposal in a year when there can be no complaints about player buy-in.

McManus could start at either midfield, half-forward, maybe even full-forward… let’s face it, he could play pretty much anywhere. But if Gleeson does opt to hold him in reserve for later in the game, what a man to have coming off a bench.

With the likes of Domhnall Nugent, Eoin O’Neill, Conal Cunning and Ryan McCambridge, among many others, also waiting for their chance to come on and make an impact on the big stage, it could be this strength in depth that ultimately wins the day.

But, after three defeats to the Saffrons in 2020, Kerry will travel to Dublin feeling they have a score to settle. One thing is for sure, though, they have plenty of ground to make up if recent evidence is anything to go by.

Since the return of inter-county action in the autumn, they were a distinct second best in the League decider – even if only three points separated the sides at the end – while the Saffrons were far superior at Corrigan.

That one in particular left a sour taste with O’Connor and his players.

“It was nearly over after 20 minutes,” said the Kildare man.

“We were disgusted after the Antrim game up in Corrigan Park. We felt we owed it to the people of Kerry to put on a better performance against Carlow.

“Sometimes when you are hurt and upset over things, and things haven’t been going your way, it’s easier to get a performance.”

A thirst for retribution is not the only threat a big, robust Kingdom side pose. Defensively, they will try to impose their will on the Saffrons early, though concern over the fitness of full-back and captain Bryan Murphy – who broke his hand in Belfast a month ago – and the loss of corner-back John Murphy to a hamstring strain have given O’Connor a headache.

Mikey Boyle caused Antrim bother when pulled out to centre-forward the last day and can be expected to drift back out again, while the experience of Shane Nolan could be key at midfield. In Shane Conway they have one of the best forwards operating at this level and if his threat is not nullified, Antrim could be in bother.

This year, though, the Saffrons have shown a bit of everything. For all the brilliance on display, and the confidence a winning run garners, they also dragged out draws when major questions were asked in Carlow at the end of October, the same when they looked destined for defeat to Offaly in Tullamore way back in March.

Antrim’s class of 2020 looks to be made of sterner stuff and with options all over the place – not least the welcome headache of what to do with Neil McManus – they should have more than enough to finish the year with a flourish.

PATHS TO THE FINAL

ANTRIM

October 25, Corrigan Park: Antrim 4-25 Westmeath 1-15

October 31, Netwatch Cullen Park: Carlow 2-25 Antrim 5-16

November 14, Corrigan Park: Antrim 3-18 Kerry 2-14

November 28, Pairc Tailteann: Meath 3-10 Antrim 2-30

KERRY

October 25, Austin Stack Park: Kerry 1-20 Meath 0-13

October 31, Cusack Park: Kerry 2-19 Westmeath 0-14

November 14, Corrigan Park: Antrim 3-18 Kerry 2-14

November 21, Austin Stack Park: Kerry 2-22 Carlow 1-23