As one Antrim team makes its way towards Division 2 of the NFL, it is to be hoped that the other senior inter county representatives don't head in the opposite direction. There is a real danger, following last weekend's defeat to Westmeath, that our hurlers could end up in a relegation battle. The permutations are multiple, but to put it as simply as possible, if we beat neighbours Down in Casement on Sunday, we'll be safe in Div 2 for another year. Lose the derby match and we will be in real danger of heading to Mayo, Armagh and Meath for games next year in Div 3. The vagaries of the 'head to head' system for separating teams finishing level on points means that we could wind up looking for something in Wexford to maintain our Div 2 status. That is not a prospect o relish.
Dinny is reported in this morning's Irish News as saying that he is happy with the league so far, that it has given him an opportunity to experiment with players and positions. The team has been hampered with the absence of St Gall's players to date, although Karl Stewart is due to return for Sunday's encounter. Straight red cards for Liam Watson (against Laois) and Shane McNaughton (V Westmeath) deprives the management of those two players who are serving bans.
Even during his first term as manager Cahill paid scant attention to the league, with the winter and spring work on the training field all aimed at a peaking at Championship time. If we bow out of Div 2 hurling and make little impact against Offaly on May 30th the season will be regarded in very poor light.
However there is another side to the story which shows that (i) we ran Clare very close in our best league performance to date, (ii) we lost to Westmeath by 1 point, (iii) victory over Carlow should be seen in a new light following their win over Clare, (iv) in Paul Shiels amd Neil McManus we have two young hurlers who continue to shine very brightly. Does all of that point to the resurrection of our league campaign this Easter Sunday? I'm keeping the faith, and saying yes.
In football news, Michael Magill continues to make good progress on his hamstring injury although he is unlikely to be back for the Wexford game next Sunday and the Division 3 final seems a more realistic target.
Club Aontroma is planning a business / fndraising breakfast with Liam Bradley on April 23rd, in the Wellington Park Hotel. If you want to have 'Breakfast with the Baker' visit the website, www.clubaontroma.com and get in touch.
Mark, I have seen the hurlers this year (only once unfortunately) and there is something there, something. Let's see if Dinny and his team can maximise that.
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