Antrim have fixed their sights on silverware and success in the 2017 Allianz Hurling League Division 2A campaign ahead - GAA.ie talks to Antrim and Ruairí Óg Cushendall star Neil McManus about the County's aims for 2017 starting with this Sunday's opening fixture against London in Corrigan Park (throw-in 1pm). Tickets are £9.00/€10.00 for adults, juveniles (Under 16 Years of Age) are FREE while concessions are £5.00 on match day at the grounds only with valid I.D.
By Cian O'Connell
Eleven months ago when Cushendall's were beaten by Na Piarsaigh in the AIB All Ireland Club Hurling Final, Neil McManus scratched a travel itch.
McManus kept an eye on how Antrim's Christy Ring Cup campaign was unfolding on social media before watching the deciders on GAAGO.
Returning to aid the Saffrons cause, though, was always on the agenda. "I went travelling around south east Asia with my fiance, we went to America after that so I missed the inter-county season," McManus explained to GAA.ie.
"That bit of travelling was something I had talked about doing since I finished school really. A decade had passed and I hadn't got around to doing it.
"After the All Ireland Final I took the bull by the horns and got around to doing it. We had a fantastic time. I got married in April so if I didn't do it then I wasn't going to get another chance."
Now the opportunity McManus wants Antrim to take is to earn promotion from Division 2A of the Allianz Hurling League. "It is 100% our aim," McManus admits. "It won't be without its struggles, it will be mammoth task to get back up into Division One hurling.
"That is what we are focused on, it is where we believe with the talented hurlers that we have in Antrim is where we should be.
"Last year was not what we wanted. Obviously I was away travelling and my clubmate Aaron Graffin was missing. Paul Shiels was out with a hip injury, leaders within our team.
"We have Paul back, I'm back as well and we are really enjoying it. We are hoping that we can put Antrim on the right foot from the start of the year to make a push for promotion because last year's performances they don't show the true ability of this group of players."
Cushendall defeated Sarsfields in the 2016 AIB All Ireland SHC Semi Final.
McManus is used to operating in the top tier, that is the environment where Antrim can develop fully according to the Cushendallman.
"I'm not playing on Sunday due to a broken cheekbone, but this will be my first time being involved in Division 2 as I missed last year," McManus says.
"It was 2006 when Antrim won the Christy Ring previously, I came in straight after that. It is very important for Antrim because our panel is so young.
"You need Division One experience to bring those players up to speed as quickly as possible, to get them used to playing against the competition at that level. I believe we should be up there and that we have the ability to be up there.
"Hard work will get us there, the likes of London, Carlow, Westmeath, and Kildare all have the exact same aspirations. People probably will place Westmeath and Carlow ahead of Antrim, we do believe we can get back there. If you don't believe in something, it won't happen."
Dunloy, Loughgiel Shamrocks, and Cushendall have all featured on the national stage. Can Antrim build on what the clubs have achieved outside of Ulster? "The translation is tough because it hasn't been made at senior inter-county," is McManus' assessment.
"Last March I played in the Final for Cushendall and there has been other successes at club level. People aren't surprised by club success in the north because it happens.
"You look at Dunloy, who were in All Ireland Finals over the course of a 14 or 15 year period. We need to carry that through, I think that if Antrim could get promoted it would get momentum and start the ball rolling. You never know where it could end up."
