Dublin vs Antrim LSHC

Well lads this one is fast approaching and im really looking forward to it. Probably the most inconsistant nhl team vs the one of the most consistant.

The dubs have come on well with brilliant minor and u21 teams. Antrim are starting young with a few fresh faces, saw them draw with Limerick last week and CJ McGourty was back playing not a big fan of his but he can certainly hurl.

From my point of view its gonna be hard to topple an up and coming dub team but thats what championship is about.

Aontroim Abu

We really need to win this one NSG - to lose would be a huge setback.

Just posted about this on a different thread, Doh!!
I think the Saffrons are in with a shout here. Assuming the likes of Shields is fit and their fully tuned in and not over-awed by the occasion.
Dublin hurlers are sure to be feeling the pressure and this is an opportunity I feel for Antrim to catch them on the hop.
I know Dublin got close to Kilkenny in the league this year but Antrim, dont forget beat Kilkenny in Walsh cup last year and the cats didn't go out to lose that one.

Dublin should be winning it easily. Antrim are Division 2 for a reason.

clash-of-da-ash wrote:Dublin should be winning it easily. Antrim are Division 2 for a reason.

Have to agree but Antrim are used to Croker and big crowds where as the Dub hurlers aren't so maybe a shock is on the cards

I'd love to see a decent manager get into Antrim from down the South and let them see what they could they do.

Davy Fitz said in his book that if had the choice of taking over any county bar the Banner, Antrim would be his selection. Serious amount of unfulfilled potential up there he reckoned. And he's probably right.

Big game for both teams though. Victory for either side would go an awful long way to defining to both teams seasons.

Dublin have been mixing it with the best in the League so I'll give them the nod. Kilkenny will have it tough in Leinster this year, winners of this game no pushover plus the re-emergence of Offaly and Wexford. Then one man Galway are there making up the numbers. Wonderboy Joe might knock over a few sideline cuts.

this has the potential to be a great game. Antrim do have the experience, and Dublin could be on a bit too much of a high after the NHL. I always think realistically NHL peformances and championship performances can differ greatly.

Personally, I'd like to see Dublin go on a bit of a run this year. Seeming as the footballers won't

I know they are only challenge matches but Antrim dont even normally win these, they drew with Limerick last week in a game they should really have won i was at it, then over the weekend there they went to Waterford and won. Surely this is looking good for this to be a brilliant fixture, but we'll wait ant see. Does anyone else think these results are showing Antrim can get a win in Croke or am i in dream land again? I know the dubs are flying and its a shame Antrim and Dublin came up against one another because theyd be the team id be following if Antrim went out, but i believe we can do this.

NSG,

2 decent results in the last couple of weeks, and I see daly was saying the dubs took a bit of a beating from Cork. However, we've been in this position before with decent results in challenge games followed by poor performances in the games that matter.
I think this game will go to the wire, even though the dubs have been hurling at a different level, psychologically there shouldnt be an issue. Shields will be a big loss and I read b.herron and kelly are definitely out as well. I worry about the replacements for midfield unless mckeegan or mcmanus are shifted there I think we could struggle in the middle. I suppose stewart could also be shifted, if i remember right i think he played middle of the park last year.

Anyway here's hoping!!!

Is Shields definitly out??
If thats the case Antrim can forget it

Paul Shields has been hitting frees, but would not be the best mid fielder about. "Pinkie" to my mind is not a loss, but Herron and Shields both missing is a blow.

So we need Mcmanus and McKeegan to perform at their best and all the others. Karl Stewart is now our best forward. Now Karl is a reasonable player but you do not want him as your "best" forward. Maybe CJ will be about and could contribute but it is a big ask. Obviously Watson's loss is massive.

But forget about the doom and gloom. Sport is about confidence. A few seasons ago the Dubs were beating everyone in the league, and Antrim losing all their games. The Dubs travelled to Casement for the first floodlit match, and I said Antrim would win, simply because we believe we can beat the Dubs. Antrim won.

So although I fancy the Dubs, Antrim could win simply because they believe they can beat Dublin. We do not believe we can beat Galway, Cork, Tipp, Kilkenny and others in the championship.

So an Antrim win cannot be ruled out, but I would back the Dubs.

Shiels will be a big loss not only for frees he tends to pick up a lot of breaking and loose ball and is usually able to use it quite well. Thats part of the reason in the last 2 or 3 years he was named at corner forward and brought out as a third midfielder.
I agree karl stewart is currently our best forward and would not like to see him withdrawn to midfield, however, i'd also prefer mcmanus at centre half but it looks like a case of needs must, dont think mccloskey contributes enough to warrant a place.
As for McGourty well having watched him on a few occasions as recently as last wed nite against rossa, he was decent enough with ball in hand. However, in my opinion he's too much of a disruptive influence, was arguing regularly with his own team mates and at one stage was ready to go toe to toe, a battle i think he would have lost mind you, with a team-mate, again he needs taken down a peg or two, his head is the size of a hot-air balloon or a bumpernut!!!

How many hurling clubs are there in Antrim. Would it be more or less than 10.

I remember ye bringing Tipperary right down to the wire one year. Barry McFall had a good game that day.

There are about 8 hurling only clubs in Antrim, but only 2 of them are Division 1.

They are all based in the Glens. In Belfast most clubs play both games, but only St John's are Division 1, although Rossa are still the best team despite wallowing in Division 2.

Probably Brian McFaul you remember, could cut over side line balls before Joe Canning was at primary school.

Looking for a view critics on my Antrim team for the match on sunday week:


Ryan McGarry



Aarron Graffin

Mickey McCambridge

Mickey Kettle



Sean Delargy

Ciaran Herron

Conor McKinley



Karl McKeegan

Paddy McGill



Joey Scullion

Paddy Richmond

Neil McManus



C J McGourty

Karl Stewart

Micko Herron

Im sure the country boys will love the full foward line or should i say city line LOL. But i think this is a class full forward line and could do damage if given supply what ya all think?

dont know enough about either team to comment but i see Dublin have lost their centre back Fallon - how much of a loss will that be to the Dubs???

A big loss alright - CHB is a pivotal position obviously and he is a good solid player there.

Jayo Cluxton wrote:A big loss alright - CHB is a pivotal position obviously and he is a good solid player there.

he is a serious loss a player who would be in with a shout of making most county panels love watching him play

FAO NSG/Patrique

Antrim are 5/1 to win here. Surely thats taking the piss a bit. How, roughly would you see their real prospects and respective price??

Antrim have a chance because they believe they can win. They do not believe they can beat the "real" hurling powers, but every player has experienced success against the Dubs at some level.

Im thinking they'll at the very least put it up to Dublin. The occasion is might well get to Dublin who'll be under a lot more pressure than Antrim and who are still unproved at this level and at 5/1 they'd you'd get a decent run for your money from the saffrons

Dublin are lacking Fallon, who is a big loss. If McManus hits form, and Stewart and CJ score, Antrim could do it.

CJ however has not been hurling until recently, but he does have talent.

Anrim have always seemed to be Dublins bogey team.

I think we have a real chance of winning on sunday.

I heard that shields has had to retire from hurling at 19 due to the injury he has

Can't see past a convincing Dublin win! Sorry guys.