Allianz National Hurling League Division 1B: Galway v Antrim (Tomorrow, Pearse Stadium, 1pm)
MAKE no mistake, the Antrim hurlers will be staring down the barrel of a gun in Salthill tomorrow afternoon – but Neil McManus insists the host of rookies that will start against the All-Ireland champions won’t fear the occasion.
Antrim’s management team have handed out five debuts for tomorrow’s daunting trip to the west – David Kearney (Cushendall), Joe Maskey (St Enda’s), Gerard Walsh (‘Rossa), Maol Connolly and Donal McKinley (both Loughgiel).
The newly-promoted Ulstermen couldn’t have imagined a tougher opening League fixture. Despite facing the League, Leinster and All-Ireland champions, McManus likes the attitude of the new players coming through at senior level.
“I don’t think our players will be afraid of it,” he said.
“Some of our younger players are hugely talented and they don’t over-think things. I’m totally obsessed with hurling; I think about it all the time, but some of the boys that come into the changing room go out and train and play like demons without a care in the world.”
The Tribesmen, who field six of last year’s All-Ireland winning side, will want to put on a bit of show on home soil in their first competitive game since lifting the Liam MacCarthy last September – which makes this clash virtually unwinnable for their visitors.
All-Ireland winners Daithi Burke, Adrian Tuohy, Aidan Harte, Johnny Coen, Joseph Cooney and Conor Cooney are the familiar faces in Michael Donoghue’s starting line-up in Pearse Stadium tomorrow.
“I love being back in Division 1B,” said McManus.
“Whenever you’re trying to regain promotion it is very tough and it took us two years to do it. That showed real character especially from some of the younger lads. Whenever you’re playing in Division One you are at the coal-face, and that’s where you learn. That’s where you can turn into a serious, top level hurler and I’m really encouraged by how much the younger players have bought into that.”
Antrim have had to rejig their back-line with Stephen Rooney ruled out with a shoulder injury while defender Simon McCrory, one of their best performers last season, is not part of the senior panel this year.
Joe Maskey impressed in the Walsh Cup to earn a place in the half-back line while imposing full-back John ‘Rocky’ Dillon will want to continue where he left off last season.
Eoghan Campbell is still a few weeks away from full fitness and corner-forward and free-taker Ciaran Clarke is absent after hurting his ankle in the Conor McGurk Cup.
The Antrim management team, who have been joined by Tipperary’s Liam Sheedy this season, will be hoping Dunloy’s slick forward Nigel Elliott brings his excellent club form to the inter-county stage and that Conor McCann’s experimental posting at full-forward reaps dividends.
Conor Johnston, arguably Antrim’s best performer in pre-season, will again be a vital cog in attack.
On paper, Antrim look to have a decent-looking spine with Rossa’s Gerard Walsh showing fine leadership skills and vice-captain and preferred centre-back Matthew Donnelly looking to make up for lost time after missing most of last season with a knee injury.
Even though Antrim have some good options on the bench, their management team are realistic enough to know that the best they can hope for in Salthill tomorrow is to keep the scoreline respectable and that some of their younger players cope well in adversity once Galway start turning the screw.
Antrim (NHL v Galway): C O’Connell; D Kearney, J Dillon, A Graffin; J Maskey, M Donnelly, P Burke; C McKinley, G Walsh; M Connolly, N McManus, N Elliott; D McKinley, C McCann, C Johnston Subs: R Elliott, J Connolly, N McAuley, J McNaughton, D Murphy, C Carson, D McCloskey, E O’Neill, R McCambridge, C Boyd, D McGuinness
Galway (NHL v Antrim): J Skehill; R Burke, D Burke, J Grealish; A Tuohy, M Dolphin, A Harte; J Coen, E Burke; N Burke, J Cooney, P Flaherty; B Concannon, C Cooney, J Flynn.
