Joe McDonagh Cup Round Five

Antrim v Kerry

Saturday, Corrigan Park, 1pm

By Shaun Casey

ANTRIM have the comfort of taking it easy this weekend if that’s how they chose to approach Saturday’s game.

Darren Gleeson’s men have already secured their spot in the Joe McDonagh Cup final, with a game in hand, following their convincing 7-29 to 3-13 win away to Meath in round four.

Now Antrim have a choice on their hands as they host Kerry. Go full out to win the game and continue their fine form or give some squad members game time and rest a few bodies.

It’s a nice situation to find yourself in, but it’s where the Saffron’s would have expected to be having won the competition two years ago, beating Kerry in the final.

They suffered relegation from the All-Ireland series last season, after a preliminary round qualifier defeat to Laois.

The season-long target will of course have been to get back to competing for the Liam McCarthy and their one step away from that now.

Antrim have shown they can compete at the top level over the last few years, given their National League performances.

A play-off win over Offaly maintained their Division One status for 2023, and displays against Kilkenny, Dublin and Waterford were all hugely promising.

Five players hit the net as Antrim ran riot against Meath last week, with Conor McCann and Paddy Burke sharing four evenly between them.

Eoghan O’Neill, James McNaughton and Seaan Elliot also raised green flags while Conal Cunning top scored with a personal haul of 0-12.

The game was done and dusted by the interval, with 20-points the difference and the Royals did little to close the gap after the turnaround.

Antrim continued their unbeaten run and stretched their winning streak to four in a row, following earlier victories over Offaly, Down and Carlow.

Their final opponents will be determined this weekend as well. Offaly are the most likely team to make the decider but must overcome Carlow to guarantee their place.

Should Carlow and Kerry both win, then three teams will finish level on six points and given the Kingdom’s superior score difference, they would progress to the showpiece.

Momentum is huge in sport and it’s hard to imagine that Antrim will want to take their foot off the gas ahead of the decider.

If Darren Gleeson decides to play his full hand, Antrim will win the game and extend their winning run to five in a row ahead of the Joe McDonagh Cup final.