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The Antrim hurlers have progressed very well in recent years. They were very competitive in the hurling league. They were given some tough games in the McDonagh Cup. Can they cause an upset in Leinster and make the Preliminary Quarter-finals for the second year in a row? legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8284 - 21/12/2022 15:10:08 2450895 Link 1 |
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I doubt they will make the Preliminary Quarter-finals in 2023. They got there last season through the Joe McDonagh Cup, where the two finalists qualify for the Preliminary Quarter-Finals. If Antrim are to qualify next season, they will have to do it through Leinster. Basically, finishing above Westmeath and any two from Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny and Wexford, in a group of six. Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2654 - 21/12/2022 16:21:52 2450913 Link 1 |
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It would be great for them but it's not very likely. They would have to finish above 3 of Wexford, Kilkenny, Galway, Dublin and Westmeath. Keeping their Leinster status would be an achievement tbh. Maybe the best thing that could happen for them would be Kerry winning the Joe Mac and getting promoted to Munster. That's the shame about the round robin format. The better teams get too many chances. The old days of a big upset and one of the favourites gone just doesn't happen any more. Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13866 - 21/12/2022 17:05:02 2450920 Link 1 |
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Is it beyond Antrim to challenge both Dublin and Wexford? I think they'll be quietly confident of causing and upset. legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8284 - 03/01/2023 10:53:58 2450930 Link 1 |
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To challenge/finish above either one of Dublin or Wexford is not beyond them, and would be a major achievement. But, there is no way I can see them finishing above both of them.
Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2654 - 03/01/2023 11:17:34 2450931 Link 1 |
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If they were at home they would have a better chance. Likewise in the League they would have a better chance. At home in the League they have beaten Clare and drawn with Wexford in the last couple of years. They have a very poor recent record against Dublin though for whatever reason.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13866 - 03/01/2023 11:27:06 2450933 Link 1 |
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Further to my original reply. I think it's a bit disrespectful mentioning only Dublin and Wexford. The top 4 in last year's Leinster was a close finish, with Dublin, Wexford and Kilkenny finishing on the same number of points (6), with Galway top on 9. As I said before, it's not a case of Antrim finishing above Dublin or Wexford, it's whether they can finish above any two from Dublin, Wexford, Kilkenny or Galway. Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2654 - 03/01/2023 12:01:15 2450940 Link 1 |
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Antrim have the hurlers but not the physical conditioning to match Kilkenny, Dublin or Wexford. If they got that corrected then I think they could challenge in Leinster. MrPBoylan (Monaghan) - Posts: 206 - 03/01/2023 13:43:06 2450957 Link 1 |
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Didn't really want to draw attention to that myself. All going well I fancy us to win leinster this year. Let's hope this comment ages well :) Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3143 - 03/01/2023 13:52:41 2450960 Link 1 |
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I'm not sure I'd go as far as to say I fancy us to win Leinster but I think we are as likely to win it as Kilkenny or Galway and maybe slightly more likely than Dublin, though if Dublin won it it wouldn't be a huge shock either.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13866 - 03/01/2023 14:14:33 2450965 Link 0 |
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Kilkenny 2-15 - 3-09 Antrim legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8284 - 03/01/2023 15:50:36 2450984 Link 1 |
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Yes for sure. I think the only hammering they got was when they rested a load of players against Tipp. They have been competitive on and off in the League for as many years as I can remember. Especially at home. Hopefully they will be able to translate that into championship form, which they weren't able to do in the past. Though Cork only really pulled away in the latter stages of the AIPQF last year. And that after a 1 week turnaround from the Joe Mac final which I felt was unfair on both Antrim and Kerry.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13866 - 03/01/2023 16:25:41 2450987 Link 1 |
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"And that after a 1 week turnaround from the Joe Mac final which I felt was unfair on both Antrim and Kerry." It does seem unfair. But the Joe Mac starts and finishes at the same time as the Leinster and Munster Championships. Also, Antrim and Kerry played their last NL games 2 weeks before the start of Leinster. There was only 1 week turnaround for Cork and Wexford before they faced Galway and Clare (respectively) in the QFs. Then a 2 week turnaround before the Semi-Finals, same again for the final. What's the solution, extend the inter-county season with at least 2 weeks between games? Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2654 - 03/01/2023 18:00:05 2451001 Link 1 |
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Yes of course they were. But the league means nothing anymore in terms indicating how well a team is progressing as Im sure Waterford posters would agree. But all the same I do think Antrim have the potential to be competitive in the championship.
PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts: 1953 - 03/01/2023 19:38:59 2451012 Link 1 |
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I know CC. I know. Impossible task setting ideal fixtures for club and intercounty.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13866 - 04/01/2023 12:03:06 2451064 Link 0 |
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Are Antrim not always supported to be on the "rise"? oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1472 - 04/01/2023 13:24:08 2451086 Link 0 |
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They have a good young team at the moment and played well when Mcmanus didn't last year. Over the last good many years they were very reliant on 1 or 2 stars, Watson, Mcmanus, etc. I think they could have a better team coming. They have pace. And not being patronising their body shape and fitness are way ahead of where they were at 10 or 20 years ago. Would be great to see them scale the heights of 89 again. I started my degree at Queens that year there was a mighty buzz around the county! Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13866 - 04/01/2023 15:53:39 2451126 Link 1 |
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I don't know. One thing Dublin were always sure of over the years against Antrim was that they'd be tough physically, Can't recall the last time they gave Dublin a serious challenge on that level. They'll always be a match for teams in Belfast in league - bit like ourselves I suppose in Parnell - but they target those games. They've been poor in Leinster.
BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3118 - 04/01/2023 17:09:44 2451142 Link 0 |
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They have. Think I posted that earlier in this thread Barney. They have a poor record against yourselves in the Championship over the years.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13866 - 04/01/2023 17:41:41 2451150 Link 0 |
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Antrim were quite good today. Missing the Dunloy lads but a good selection of experienced players. Were always in it up until Dublin's third goal. Most enjoyable game i have to say. BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3118 - 07/01/2023 16:24:39 2451447 Link 1 |