Michael McShane and a new focus for Antrim

By Michael McMullan

ANTRIM u-20 hurlers have met their “number one” target for the year by winning the Ulster title but manager Michael McShane now locks his eyes on Leinster.

As Ulster champions, the Saffrons are in a group with Meath and Westmeath in the second tier which can open a door to the Leinster Championship proper. It’s an excellent pathway.

McShane is in his first season as manager and with Antrim having lost to Derry last season, winning Ulster was the only show in town.

Antrim hit all but six of their 1-25 Ulster final tally from play, backing up 4-19 against Down and 2-24 against Derry from the group stages.

“It’s great just to get the job done,” McShane said of winning the title.

“We won it comfortably on Saturday in the end.

“We’ve had a couple of good performances in the competition, so it’s all full steam ahead now for Leinster.”

While they have been scoring heavily, the former Sleacht Néill and Tyrone manager feels his side has more to give.

Their scoring efficiency isn’t where it needs to be. The shots pulled wide and dropped short leaves them with homework ahead of their Leinster crusade.

“This time of the year, scoring is normally a whole lot lower,” McShane said.

“For us to be hitting them scores in winter hurling is very pleasing. I always have a number in my head of 20 points and you can get a goal or two on top of that.

“If you’re doing your defensive job right, you should be winning the game.

“At the top level of inter-county hurling now, you’re looking at teams that are hitting 25 points and still losing the matches.

“We look at it more in terms of our efficiency and our conversion rate is not as high as we want it to be.

“Maybe that’s a good thing because if we get the conversion rate up then our scoring goes up and then we become very difficult to beat.”

Antrim were given Tuesday night off and now begin their three-week lead into the Leinster Championship.

For McShane, it’s about finding the perfect mix between physicality and flair. It’s about playing fast and entertaining hurling.

Antrim will have their nine Cross and Passion College players back next week after their Paddy Buggy Cup final.

Antrim had six long-term injuries. Jack McCloskey made a comeback from injury to feature last weekend. Darragh Patterson is making progress. Luke McFerran might not make it back in time.

“We’ve a real depth in our panel,” McShane said, explaining the confidence the management have in whatever 15 they send out.

“To be honest, picking the first 15 for last Saturday was extremely difficult because we were leaving players on the bench who had done brilliantly in the games leading up to this.

“We played a couple of challenge games against Wexford and Offaly and these players had performed very well.

“You can only pick 15 and you’ve got to pick what you think is right. I suppose the result tells us we did get it right.”

McShane was always aware of the talent from watching club hurling but outlines the other important value in the squad. Desire. A will to play for Antrim.

“What’s really impressed me is their level of dedication to it, their commitment to what we’re trying to do, how they’ve bought into it, how they apply themselves, they really are top grade,” he said of his enjoyment in working with the group.

“They’re such an easy bunch to work with. There’s no missing training; there’s no messing about.

“They’re working hard, they’re listening to what we’re trying to tell them, what we’re trying to teach them, they’re putting it into practice and they give us everything.”