McGreevy: McEntee can build on Saffron foundations

By Shaun Casey

FORMER Antrim goalkeeper Sean McGreevy hopes Andy McEntee can bring an ambition to the Saffron set up that is matched by the players.

The idea of an outside man coming in has worked well for Antrim down through the years. Liam ‘Baker’ Bradley brought them to an Ulster final in 2009 and Enda McGinley eventually gained promotion to Division Three.

In saying that, it’s all about the player for McGreevy. “I think it’s probably a better option than somebody within Antrim. I would have thought a few years back there would have been somebody within our own county, we could have found somebody suitable.

“I’m sure it happens in a lot of counties, over the years there’s this whole thing of club versus county. Over the years some clubs were reluctant to let their players go and get involved and I just always felt there was a lack of ambition with a certain core of players over the years.

“The club is always going to be there for them to fall back on, but they’ve got to start seeing that playing for Antrim is an honour and it’s a goal to play for and achieve with your county. I just hope that Andy can bring that ambition, that players that are selected for Antrim want to play for the county and want to give it everything.

“I was surprised when I heard the news. I suppose he wouldn’t have been one you would’ve immediately thought would have been in the running. He seems to have good credentials behind him and he’s there on merit and deserves a shot. Hopefully it all goes to plan.”

Very few have given more to the Antrim cause than McGreevy and he praised the departing management team of Enda McGinley and Stephen O’Neill for their efforts and hopes McEntee push on from where they left off.

“Being there for a long time myself, maybe there’s a certain bunch of guys often hungrier than others,” McGreevy added.

“A lot of our lack of success down through the years would be down to the fact that maybe there’s more responsibility to be taken by players as opposed to pinpointing managers.

“From experience, there’s a hunger sometimes within Antrim players that should be there that isn’t for county footballers.

“That’s not saying every players like that, there’s always a handful of players that I found in my days, that tended to just not be as involved as they should have.

“Hopefully this guy can come in and get a bit of direction for all the players involved, singing off the same hymn sheet and they’re all hungry and hopefully it takes us to high places.

“It can be awkward, it can be difficult for managers coming in and I think in fairness to Enda and Stevie, they got as much commitment as they could have from that bunch.

“Andy McEntee has said they’ve left a good foundation. I would definitely say it’s a good foundation for that Andy’s coming into and hopefully they can push on from there.”