A sorry tale of two halfs

First things first - yesterday was a shattering disappointment for Antrim. All the ingredients were in place for a big saffron occassion, big crowd, sublime weather, great expectations. All but undone by half time.

Was this a re-run of last summer's Ulster Final? The bare facts suggest that yes it was, that Tyrone grabbed an early lead and then sat on it. Yet, I think the second half yesterday suggested that maybe there was something in this game for Antrim, and that Tyrone 'sitting back' wasn't a big factor. When the gap was narrowed to three points, Aodhan Gallagher had a chance to reduce the arrears to two, but his shot went badly wide. Had that gone over, what then? We'll never know.

Too much went wrong too early in the game. Surely it is plain to see that Justin Crozier is not a half forward? Terry O'Neill had too little impact on the game and Brendan Herron's influence, so prominent in the league, was absent. In goals John Finnucane lacked the authority that say Pascal McConnell has. James Loughey, very effective when running at defenders, simply didn't do enough running at defenders.

There were of course positives too. To get within 3 points took a lot of effort and it showed what the team is capable of. Gallagher and Niblock in particular emerged with huge credit. On the line the substitions, whether forced through injury, or made through choice, were the kind that do have an impact on games. Kevin McGourty's impact was instant and his bodycheck on Sean Cavanagh immediately raised the Antrim temperature. It was the kind of hit that shook up the game and we benefitted. CJ too had a fine game, his best in county colours since returning to the fold. But all in all we fell too short. Of course Tyrone are good - they are one of the very best units to have played the game - and we always had an uphill task. But even taking that context into account, Antrim defeats do hurt badly.

So it's the hard road for the saffron faithful. We have not had good fortune in qualifiers so far with only a win over Leitrim way back in 2001 to look back on with any satisfaction. To the GAA Gods, please spare us another Ulster derby match. So far the other qualifier entrants include Derry, Offaly, Tipperary, Carlow and Clare. With a kind draw and an effort from the team that extends over two halfs of a game, we may yet find ourselves with a few more days out this summer.