Antrim bidding to bounce back in Offaly

By Michael McMullan

WHEN Liam Bradley gave Ryan Murray the nod to replace Brian Neeson in a 2012 win over Offaly, Murray’s county career was up and running.

Despite quad and cruciate ligament injuries, coupled with a suspension, the Lámh Dhearg man is back in the Saffron camp.

Any mention of Offaly, and Murray’s thoughts always creep back to this debut.

With a win and a defeat to their name, Antrim travel to Offaly on Sunday with the home team having won both their opening games.

“Offaly seems to probably be a team that we’ve played more regularly than other counties,” Murray said.

Two years ago, Antrim did everything but win as the Faithful County left Belfast with two points and Saffrons filled with regret.

Last year, goals from Dominic McEnhill and Ronan Boyle made the difference in a narrow Antrim win at Corrigan Park.

“Every time I have a match against Offaly it brings me back 13 years, playing the first game,” Murray said.

“I don’t even know how many times we’ve played Offaly since then, but it does seem like it’s nearly every year or every other year.”

Murray points to the impact Mickey Harte has made on Sunday’s opponents. He needs no introduction.

It was the same when he was guiding Louth against Antrim but Murray also stresses what Offaly have under the hood before delving into Harte’s influence.

“Offaly always do have quality players and they’ve obviously had success at underage recently,” Murray said.

“We’ll be in for a tough battle especially being down there, but we’re confident in our own game too.

“If we get ourselves right, then we’ll be right there for that match.”

A tough test? Yes. But, for Murray, nobody in Division Three is any different.

He points to how Clare were fancied to beat the Saffrons in the opening game. He agrees to the “toss of a coin” nature of every game.

“It’s key that we don’t let the heads drop too much after losing against Fermanagh,” Murray said.

“There will be teams that will beat each other, so if we get a win against Offaly, we’re right back in the hunt again.”

The disappointment from the Fermanagh game was passing up chances either side of half-time that came back to bite.

From the win over Clare, Murray highlighted both their lightning start but how, with the new rules, it’s more difficult to take the sting out of game when under the cosh in the closing stages.

Like everyone else, he questions why this was the year to abolish competitions like the Dr McKenna Cup.

On a personal note, getting a full game – and hitting a point – against Clare was a plus.

Within a week of the club season, Murray was back putting in the hard yards ahead of the county call.

He had a blip in November when a screw needed removed to ease stiffness and inflammation around the knee.

“I had a bit more work to do, but thankfully I started a bit earlier,” Murray said of his progress.

“I had made up a bit of ground (from starting his own conditioning earlier) so it didn’t feel like I was a mile behind when I was joining in again.”

Murray’s debut was a win over Offaly in 2012.

He’ll take the same result this weekend. If Andy McEntee gives him the nod, those memories will flood back.