Joe McDonagh Cup round five

Meath v antrim

Saturday, Pairc Tailteann, 1pm

Balance has been the key to Antrim’s run of success this year.

The Saffrons are one game away from confirming their place in the Joe McDonagh Cup final.

The team have already won the league Division 2A title, and confirmed promotion up to Division One for next season. A win over Meath this weekend would confirm their place in the McDonagh decider.

Joe Maskey reckons that the secret to their success has been balance.

“I think we aren’t relying on a main scorer this year. Everyone is at the same standard now. We were missing six or seven against Westmeath and the boys who came in were just as good as the fellas who were missing. That result proved that.

“Darren (Gleeson) has to name a 26 every week. We have a panel of 30 so every week you are heart scared about not making it onto the panel. Then you want to make the 15.

“The panel is there and players are there to come in.

“To be honest I don’t think the set up could be much better. Even with the coronavirus, I just think it is very well run. It is lashing where I am but I am looking forward to training. It is just enjoyable. We are all on the same page.”

Their target at the moment is Meath. Antrim have all but qualified for the final. There is a chance that they can miss out, if Meath win by a certain amount it allows Carlow to reach the final. That shouldn’t happen based on the way Antrim have been playing this year. They are unbeaten in league and championship but  Maskey reckons Meath present a tricky test for the Saffrons.

“There are a few times that we have beaten them. I know we beat them at the start of the league in Portglenone but I would say that they had an off day. They had two men sent off that day. We will be expecting something stiffer.”

Maskey remembers the game four years ago when Meath beat them in the Christy Ring, a game most notable because of a mistake with the scoring which resulted in Meath being awarded the win when it should have went down as a draw. The game was replayed but Meath still won. Maskey wasn’t part of the panel as that was his first year out of minor.

“I remember watching it and thinking is this really happening?”

Antrim have come a long way since that day. Back then they were competing in the Christy Ring. This year they secured a place Division One and are two steps away from winning the Joe McDonagh and getting into the Leinster Championship.

“I think we are doing so well is that everyone is performing. There are good structures in place. This year there is a very clear structure to the training. It is tailored for specific people and specific areas. We have our own gym that we go to on Monday and Wednesday and we have our own specific training.

“We are unbeaten this year and that has proven that we are doing the right work.”