Hurling & Camogie

Antrim and Laois aim to save themselves from relegation worries

Antrim's Conal Cunning and Laois's Ryan Mullaney during a 2021 clash at Corrigan Park Picture Seamus Loughran.
Antrim's Conal Cunning and Laois's Ryan Mullaney during a 2021 clash at Corrigan Park Picture Seamus Loughran. Antrim's Conal Cunning and Laois's Ryan Mullaney during a 2021 clash at Corrigan Park Picture Seamus Loughran.

Allianz National Hurling League Division 1B: Antrim v Laois (tomorrow, Corrigan Park, 1pm)

AFTER three rounds of games in the National League, hurling’s glass ceiling remains as firm and robust as it has ever been.

In fairness, Antrim have given it a good battering over the last couple of seasons – more than Laois, Offaly or Westmeath have mustered - but the Ulstermen find themselves in familiar territory.

It’s a scenario both Antrim and Laois promised themselves in the depths of winter that they would avoid – a relegation shoot-out – but here we are again.

Another game that looks and feels like a relegation tie between two counties that know each other like the backs of their hands at this stage.

Of course, there are more points on offer after tomorrow’s showdown at Corrigan Park, with Antrim hosting Tipperary in their last Division 1B game and Laois travelling to Dublin – and then there’s hurling’s generous comfort blanket of a relegation play-off against the bottom placed team in Division 1A – almost certain to be Westmeath – at the end of the month.

But all those energy-sapping permutations will be left at the gates of Corrigan Park tomorrow because Antrim and Laois can spare themselves of more relegation angst if one of them banks the two points.

Last year, Antrim had been earning rave reviews for the way in which they acquitted themselves against Kilkenny, Dublin and Waterford, losing by single-digit margins.

Laois, meanwhile, were enduring some heavy beatings against the big hitters before hosting Antrim in O’Moore Park, who were far and away the form team 12 months ago.

However, as soon as Antrim took to the field they looked heavy-legged and emotionally spent, probably due to that string of near-misses against the big guns.

As it turned out, Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett set a brilliant ambush as Laois scraped home by a point, which sent Antrim into a relegation play-off with Offaly.

That’s the thing about Laois: when they click, they are capable of performing the odd miracle, but more often than not their erratic nature comes back to bite them.

As bad as Antrim were that Sunday afternoon in O’Moore Park, they only lost by a point. The general consensus would be that Antrim are further down the tracks than tomorrow’s visitors.

Single-digit losses mightn’t be of any consolation in football – but hurling is different. They’re a narrative worth paying attention to.

Antrim have lost their three League games to date by six, two and eight-point margins.

Compare that to Laois who have lost by 20, 12 and 13-point margins under Tipperary native Willie Maher who is probably still grappling with the managerial challenge.

Antrim will be confident they have a bit more in the tank than the last time the sides met, although the suspended Eoghan Campbell is a significant loss to the home side after his early red card against Waterford.

Michael Bradley dropped back to fill the void but manager Darren Gleeson has opted for Gerard Walsh at number six tomorrow.

Neil McManus is named to start despite an injury concern, while St John’s man Conall Bohill, who has shown encouraging form at wing-back, is definitely out with a shoulder injury as is Seann Elliott (concussion).

Ryan Elliott is restored to the number one slot, but Ballycastle’s Tiernan Smyth has shown this season that he’s more than just back-up to the Dunloy man.

Every time Antrim have gone close in the League, Gleeson has highlighted the small margins in his post-match briefings that have been costing his side dearly – and his analysis is absolutely correct.

But rather than bemoan his side’s performance against Waterford the last day, the Antrim boss was much brighter and more optimistic following their eight-point defeat.

In an interview with The Irish News last year, Kerry boss Jack O’Connor spoke about the importance of a manager’s mood in camp.

“A huge part of being a manager is setting the tone for the players,” O’Connor said.

“If the players see you getting uptight and all angst, it’s going to spread like wild-fire because it’s well known that much more beyond what you say to players they pick up so much from your body language.

“If you go into training not appearing to enjoy it, all anxious, worried and being cranky, that infects the atmosphere around the training.

“A huge thing that I concentrate on is making sure I’m in good shape, that I’m well rested, that I’m fit. I go into training almost as if I’m ready to train myself if you know what I mean, and showing enthusiasm.”

Gleeson had clearly ditched the negatives from the Waterford game and accentuated the positives ahead of the biggest game of their season tomorrow.

When they clash, Antrim and Laois always believe they can beat each other.

Both sides are able to field around a dozen players each that played in last season’s one-point game in O’Moore Park.

It might have been a year ago, but Antrim would do well to heed that lesson.

The Saffrons should ease their relegation fears on home soil tomorrow.

Antrim (NHL v Laois): R Elliott; P Burke, R McGarry, S Rooney; J Maskey, G Walsh, N O’Connor; M Bradley, J McNaughton; K Molloy, N McKenna, N Elliott; C Cunning, N McManus, C Johnston

Laois Stephen Maher and Antrim's Stephen Rooney during last season's League encounter in O'Moore Park which the home side won by a point Picture Seamus Loughran
Laois Stephen Maher and Antrim's Stephen Rooney during last season's League encounter in O'Moore Park which the home side won by a point Picture Seamus Loughran Laois Stephen Maher and Antrim's Stephen Rooney during last season's League encounter in O'Moore Park which the home side won by a point Picture Seamus Loughran