Antrim manager Darren Gleeson and captain Conor McCann were emotional after winning their first Joe McDonagh Cup.
The Glensmen will play in the Leinster Cup next year after they beat Kerry 0-22 to 1-17 in Croke Park on Saturday.
Gleeson noted how difficult a year it has been, not only for his side, but for everyone, which makes this victory even better for his players and their supporters.
“It has been such a difficult year for everyone,” Gleeson said. “You go through [the year], lads having to separate themselves from family, friends, work colleagues, just to protect the group.
“Unfortunately, we had one incident of COVID, which was a difficult week leading into the first round of the Joe McDonagh. But since then, it has been fantastic.”
Niall McKenna of Antrim shoots under pressure from Brandon Barrett, left, and Fionán Mackessy of Kerry during the Joe McDonagh Cup Final match between Kerry and Antrim at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/SportsfileAntrim have struggled to get their hurling programme up to full flight in recent years, however Gleeson cited the work of two stalwart Glensmen in getting them to their first Joe McDonagh victory.
“There was emotion there, because Gary O’Kane and Neal Pedon took this on about two and a half years ago and it was at Christmas, they were playing a Keogh Cup match.
“They were ringing lads who were in college houses in Dublin who had nothing to do with Antrim to see if they would come and fill out the jersey to play the Keogh Cup match against Wicklow that day.
“That was the start of it. They got a team down there and then we got in and started working with it. So, it has been a tough road.”
Joe McDonagh heading to Antrim
For Antrim captain McCann, the respect and admiration that the county has for McDonagh himself makes winning the title truly special.
“Joe McDonagh has a great respect in Antrim,” McCann said. “He spent a lot of time coming up to clubs, [including] my own club, Kickhams Creggan.
“He was well respected, and we are very privileged to be able to win that trophy first of all, and hopefully bring it home as well.
“Antrim people are very passionate about their hurling; [we are] really passionate about GAA in general, and I know the people at home are going to enjoy that victory today.
“Unfortunately, there is no supporters or no crowds here, but they will be cheering at home, you can be sure of that.”
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