Ulster U21 Hurling Championship play-off: Antrim U21 v Down U21 (today, Davitt Park, 3pm)
A PLACE in the first play-off round of the Leinster U21 Hurling Championship and the chance to mix it with the likes of Dublin and Kilkenny is the prize on offer for today’s winners in Lurgan.
With current provincial champions Derry opting to go into the All-Ireland ‘B’ competition, the victors this afternoon will go forward as Ulster’s representatives in Leinster and take on Carlow on May 26. The losers will join the Oak Leafers in the second tier.
Victory in the knockout game against Carlow will pave the way for a clash with the winners of Dublin v Laois and then a spot in the quarter-finals and, like Down, Antrim are determined to get there.
The Glensmen will be backboned by a cadre of players who sampled senior hurling in Division 1B this year including Dunloy goalkeeper Ryan Elliott, Joe Maskey (St Enda’s), midfielder Gerard Walsh (Rossa) and James McNaughton (Loughgiel). Manager Conor Gillen says his players are determined to show their worth this afternoon.
“We know that it’s going to be a tough game and after the disappointment of losing to Derry last year I think our main goal is getting through this game,” said Gillen, a PE teacher at St Louis, Ballymena.
“We want to be in Leinster with Carlow, Dublin and Kilkenny and so on, so winning is the main priority. Losing to Derry last year is a driving force for this game to ensure that a repeat doesn’t happen. Preparation has gone well and it’s all on the day because if we perform to the best of our ability we’ll definitely not be far away.”
Down can match the experience in the Antrim ranks with the likes of Liam Savage and Mark Fisher who were part of the Ardsmen’s run to last weekend’s Division 2B final against Mayo.
Gillen’s role as a coach in St Louis has given him the opportunity to watch his players come through the ranks and he says his squad is packed with talented young hurlers.
“I have experience of coaching some of the panel through school and we were narrowly beaten in an All-Ireland schools’ final two years ago,” he said.
“We’ve been playing against the other players with the school – the likes of St Mary’s CBS and Garron Tower – so I know the talent that’s there. We’re backboned by Dunloy who are the county U21 champions and, in my eyes, the panel is very strong. It’s just a case of getting everybody together and playing under the Antrim umbrella.
“The lads know what’s at stake in terms of winning and losing. They are a panel of players who have been successful whether it’s with their club or their school – the older boys have run Galway close and beaten Offaly in the National League – and that’s all going to stand to them.
“I’m happy going into the game. I think the boys are ready and we’ll see what comes our way.”
