Sport

Saffrons hoping for repeat showing against the Faithful in Joe McDonagh Cup opener

Antrim's Ciaran Clarke caused Offaly many problems in the NHL play-off between the sides in Navan Picture: Seamus Loughran.
Antrim's Ciaran Clarke caused Offaly many problems in the NHL play-off between the sides in Navan Picture: Seamus Loughran. Antrim's Ciaran Clarke caused Offaly many problems in the NHL play-off between the sides in Navan Picture: Seamus Loughran.

Joe McDonagh Cup: Antrim v Offaly (today, Corrigan Park, 2pm)

IF it's true that you're only as good as your last game, then Antrim's hurlers should head into today's Joe McDonagh Cup opener against Offaly at Corrigan Park with huge confidence having accounted for the Faithful in last month's Division One relegation playoff in Navan.

The Saffrons were seven-point winners with the margin flattering Offaly as Antrim created half a dozen glorious goal chances, yet came away with just two in a game they dominated aside from a couple of five-minute spells either side of half-time.

Relegation back to Division 2A will have stung Michael Fennelly's charges and they will arrive in Belfast determined to show that game was just a bad day at the office, but Antrim - whose injury list now includes James McNaughton and David Kearney to add to Neil McManus, Niall McKenna, Michael Bradley and Damon McMullan - will feel a repeat performance will see them get their campaign off to a flying start.

Many people feel this afternoon's game will not be the only time these counties meet in this season's Joe McDonagh Cup with both tipped to reach the final, but those who have paid attention to this competition since its inception back in 2018 will be well aware that games are closely fought and its the team that manages to gather a head of steam that usually goes on to win.

That's why today's opener is so important to both as a defeat will immediately put you on the back foot and gives little margin for error in the remaining games.

"It's very important that you get a good start," said Antrim manager Darren Gleeson

"In a 14-day period, we have three massive games: Offaly at home, Down away in an Ulster derby and then the following weekend it's Carlow coming to town.

"If you don't get the results in those 14 days, the competition is over for you, so it's all about getting a good start. If you don't you're playing catch-up and that's not a situation you want to be in.

"Momentum is everything in any sport. Offaly will come up hurt after the League play-off and they will be wanting to get back to Liam MacCarthy hurling so they will come with a huge effort this weekend and we have to be ready for it."

There are shades of Antrim's opener in the 2020 competition when injuries and Covid ripped through the squad, yet they still scored an emphatic win over Westmeath.

That again highlights the strength in depth Antrim have and it remains the case that when players miss out, there are others who can come in and do a job.

In the League meeting, Antrim went for the jugular early with Ciaran Clarke in flying form and Conal Cunning seeming to enjoy the added responsibility on his shoulders. It was evident they had the beating of the Offaly defence as their speed of movement and support play carved out chance after chance.

Offaly can't be reliant on the heroics of goalkeeper Stephen Corcoran again and will need to find a way to get a grip on proceedings from the off, but as they showed in January's Walsh Cup game between the pair, they too can cause plenty of problems going forward.

Eoghan Cahill, David Nally, Luke O'Connor and Jason Sampson have the ability to cause problems for the visitors who are back in the McDonagh Cup having spent the previous two years at Christy Ring level.

However, Antrim just seem to be further down the road than the visitors and should they perform, they can prove as much and get their bid to reach the final off to a fine start.