LEINSTER SHC FIRST ROUND Dublin v Antrim: Tomorrow, throw-in - 2pm. Croke Park, Dublin. Live on rte.ie/live
THE ODDS on this match seem excessive. As Antrim have been quick to point out, their record against Dublin is respectable.
Of course, the back catalogue is made up entirely of league matches in the past few years, including a defeat in Casement Park that punched a hole in Dublin’s play-off prospects.
The Ulster county have been hit with a barrage of injuries, depriving them of the Herron brothers, Ciarán and Brendan, Kieran Kelly, Paddy McGill and Paul Shields, which denies the team, amongst other things, its first-choice centrefield.
They also have to face Dublin in Croke Park on the undercard of a football match. Given the social habits of the big-ball supporters, this doesn’t guarantee a massed throng, but it is still to Dublin’s advantage.
Then there is form. Although the league isn’t always a good guide, it’s quite unusual for Division Two teams to beat those from the top flight.
Anthony Daly has this year added a touch of assurance to their hurling and the results in the league were impressive.
The attack looks to be the decisive advantage for Dublin, through David O’Callaghan, Liam Ryan and Liam Rushe. The team also has the benefit of Alan McCrabbe at centrefield.
Antrim’s finishing was loose in the final league match against Offaly and they will struggle to match Dublin’s total.
DUBLIN: G Maguire; N Corcoran, T Brady, O Gough; S Hiney, M Carton, J Boland; J McCaffrey, A McCrabbe; S Durkin, L Ryan, D Curtin; D OCallaghan, L Rushe, D Treacy.
ANTRIM: R McGarry; K McGourty, N McGarry (capt), A Graffin; J Campbell, C Donnelly, N McAuley; P Richmond, K McKeegan; S Delargy, N McManus, M Herron; CJ McGourty, K Stewart, PJ O'Connell.
Referee: J McGrath(Westmeath).
In the last episode: The counties have never met in modern times, even in the qualifier series.
You bet: Dublin are a prohibitive 2/13 with Antrim attractively priced at 5/1 and 14/1 the draw. Even on the handicap, Antrim are evens with a seven-point start. (Boylesports).
On your marks: Dublin's pivotal player in the recent revival has been Ronan Fallon at centre back. His unavailability through injury creates a pressure point for Anthony Daly's team, as the loss of his ball winning and striking creates a deficit at either end.
Gaining ground: Antrim's most recent win at Croke Park in the championship was 20 years ago when they famously overcame Leinster champions Offaly.
Crystal gazing: Dublin have been hurling at too high a level to slip up here.
