All-Ireland U21 Preview by Colum Thompson I don’t think anyone would dispute that Antrim’s victory over Wexford in the All Ireland U-21 Semi Final was one of the biggest shocks in the history of The GAA. Before the game Wexford were unbackable favourites quoted at 1/80, the shortest odds I have ever seen for a two horse race but the young Saffrons ripped up the form book in spectacular fashion. They were full value for their victory, if anything the winning margin of two points flattered Wexford. With ten minutes to go Antrim were ahead by eight clear points, Wexford came back at Antrim but they gave too little too late to catch The Glensmen. Antrim’s first score of the game, a Stephen Mc Afee goal had a hint of luck about it but it settled the team and they dominated the game thereafter. Ciaran Clarke’s goal after twenty minutes galvanized Antrim but by that stage you could already see the confidence growing in the Antrim players. Sitting in the stand what every pundit predicted was impossible was unfolding before our very eyes. In the second half Antrim keep Wexford at bay with a well organised defensive system with Matty Donnelly, Paddy Mc Naughton and Eoghan Campbell to the fore. Jackson Mc Greevy was winning the midfield battle and up front Stephen Mc Afee and Ciaran Clarke kept the scoreboard ticking over. When Conor Mc Donald goaled for Wexford in the 58th minute the Antrim supporters were visibly shaken, they were deflated. Antrim had been here so many times before, sticking with the big teams for much of the game and then capitulating at the death. Critically however on the pitch something very different was unfolding, rather than dropping their heads the Antrim players encouraged each other, fists clenched, determination etched on their faces. This was a different Antrim. Captain Mc Greevy, Donnelly and Mc Naughton, the biggest personalities on the team gave leadership and their team-mates responded. There was no capitulation when, deep into injury time Wexford had a free, 25 yards from goal which could level the game. The Antrim defence lined across the goal, Wexford senior star Jack Guiney stood over the ball. The people from Wexford, Galway and Clare expected a goal, many Antrim people did as well but unlike so often before lady luck was on Antrim’s side. Guiney blasted a rocket but Paddy Mc Naughton got his stick to the thunderbolt and the ball bounced over the bar to leave Antrim two points in front. In the drama and pandemonium suddenly a whistle sounded, referee Cathal Mc Alister stood on the hallowed turf of Semple Stadium with his arms spread. The Antrim players and supporters took a second and for some even a third look but it had happened. Unlike any other semi final the celebrations and the cheers weren’t immediate, the scoreboard and watches were consulted but the game was over, Antrim by a couple of points. Queue euphoria from the small band of Antrim supporters, the players jumped into the crowd hugging parents and grandparents. The crowd on mass, from Antrim, Galway , Clare and from Wexford stood and clapped the super Saffron’s. The last time any Antrim team received a standing ovation was 1989 but it was well deserved. The question now is can Antrim beat Clare? Well all conventional wisdom will say no, Clare are the reigning U-21 All Ireland Champions and they have eleven players on the Clare senior panel which came within a whisker of winning the senior All Ireland last Sunday. The question however must be asked, will those players recover in six days from the physical and mental rollercoaster we witnessed in Croke Park ? Will they be focused on the U-21 Final with the senior replay to come? Will they take Antrim for granted in the same way Wexford did? No doubt it will take a better performance to beat Clare than the one which sent Wexford packing but Antrim can do it. The history of The GAA and sport in general is littered with upsets, David beats Goliath more often than people believe. Think Antrim V Offaly in 89, Offaly beating Kerry’s 5 in a row chasing footballers in the 1982 All Ireland Football Final. Wexford beating Kilkenny in The 04 Leinster Championship. Think Mike Tyson V Buster Douglas or France V Senegal in the 2002 World Cup. It’ll take a shock of this magnitude for Antrim to beat Clare but they do happen. All that Antrim can do is approach the game in a positive frame of mind, have a game plan in place and go for broke. Antrim are in a brilliant position, we can’t lose, we are already in bonus territory. All the pressure and expectation is on Clare, it is bound to be a heavy burden along with a senior replay on the horizon. Will Antrim do it? Maybe, just maybe… dare to dream.
Posted on: Mon, 09 Sep 2013 09:03:37 +0000
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