Joe McDonagh Cup final

Antrim v Kerry

Saturday, Croke Park, 4.30pm

By Michael McMullan

DARREN Gleeson is expecting a “different animal” in the form of the Kerry challenge in Saturday’s Croke Park encounter as Antrim aim to regain the Joe McDonagh Cup.

The sides met recently in the final group game with nothing to play, having both qualified for the decider.

Ciaran Clarke landed 11 points when Antrim edged out the Kingdom to take the 2020.

“I know people will say, it’s Kerry again,” Gleeson began. “We’d have played them three times two years ago.

“There is a new management team in there, a new system of play and four or five new players.

“Some stalwarts that we’d have been planning for, like Shane Nolan and Michael O’Leary, they’re not involved any more. It changes quickly.

“They are in their third Joe McDonagh final in a row, they’ll be doing everything in their power not to have that losing feeling again.”

Both teams will have a chance to enter the Liam McCarthy race via the play-offs, but Gleeson – himself an All-Ireland winning goalkeeper – isn’t even entertaining it.

It was all about Kerry at last week’s press evening, but he did admit it was a great incentive for teams to get to the Joe McDonagh Cup.

“That’s another big step forward for Kerry and Antrim, two teams that are trying to develop.”

The Saffron boss confirmed that Damon McMullan is the only person on the long-term injury list, but the Loughgiel man is making a “brave effort” to battle back.

“All is good, we have a few knocks clearing up,” Gleeson said.

Neil McManus played against Kerry in the final group game after injury. He had been covering for substitute goalkeeper Paul McMullan who sustained a broken thumb,

“Everything is good. Ciaran Clarke is back, Seaan Elliott is back, Keelan (Molloy) is back,” confirmed Gleeson.

“That’s key, having the options and all your key personnel available to you, that’s massive.”

Another important factor is having the crowds back since their last final, played as part of a double header with the All-Ireland senior final.

“You’d have thought going into Dublin that day that we were going to a challenge match,” Gleeson recalls.

“There was no atmosphere, nothing around the place, it was completely surreal.

“It will be fantastic for the players. For management, we’ll just be focused on having the players right for that, but it’s massively important for the players, their families, their clubs, their teammates in their clubs, that they get the opportunity to go and see them.

“The younger kids in their clubs, the people that have trained them since they were kids, it’s important that all those people are there.

“An example, Gregory O’Kane is looking at eight Dunloy players that he as nurtured, there is huge pride in l that. If you are Hugh McCann in Loughgiel, Brian McFall in St John’s…all the different managers and coaches that would’ve had these lads through their hands, it’s a big event for them.”