Northern champions supremely confident
But, it's not a view that finds favour with Rossa captain Jim Connolly.
When the four captains met the media in Dublin yesterday, Connolly caused some surprise talking up his team's chances. Nobody thought of reminding him what happened after the Antrim manager Dinny Cahill did likewise last year in advance of their (ill-fated) All-Ireland semi-final with Cork.
He based his entire approach on the innate confidence of the Rossa players despite the fact that the club hadn't won the county title for 16 years. And, by his own admission, preparations have been difficult because of the non-availability of suitable pitches for mid-week training.
In sharp contrast, Brian McEvoy, captain of the James Stephens side (or to give them their 'proper' name, the Village), was much more coy.
"Anybody who takes northern teams for granted, that's the rock you will perish on," he commented.
"Dunloy caused a few shocks in the past and proved the standard of hurling is very good in Antrim. Once upon a time maybe northern teams were taken for granted, but that's definitely not the case any more!"
Likewise the other two captains, Eugene Cloonan and Paddy O'Brien adopted a cautious approach. O'Brien pointed out that for all their success in Tipperary, they have yet to win an All-Ireland title (unlike the Galway side, who have been champions three times). And, that's something they are constantly being reminded of by supporters of 'surrounding' clubs Roscrea, Kilruane and Borrisoleigh, who each climbed that summit.
"It was brilliant this year to win Munster, especially with a lot of young players. It was a massive bonus," he says.
Cloonan said: "Toomevara haven't come out of Munster for a while and we have a new team. It's down to the day, small things decide big games."
Meanwhile, Connolly is not worried with their assignment against the Kilkenny champions.
"We have had the underdog tag all year and it doesn't bother us at all. Obviously, if it was Antrim v Kilkenny, Antrim would have no chance. I don't think there is anything like the same gap in club hurling.
"There's no doubt we are underdogs. Nobody gave us a chance to beat Dunloy, nobody fancied us in the county final, nobody fancied us in the Ulster final. We have been underdogs all year and it suits us. We have players who don't care who they are marking, they'll just go out and give 110%."
His only knowledge of the opposition is based solely on a video of their Leinster final against UCD. Though impressed by centre forward Eoin Larkin whom he describes as 'a cracking hurler' there is no awe in his voice when describing the Kilkenny representatives.
And, he's not too worried by the threat posed by Peter Barry and Philly Larkin in the Village half-back line "Our half-forward line at the minute is absolutely flying, they'll give anybody a run for their money.
"Definitely, we're quietly confident. Everybody's confident in their own ability and everybody is playing well. If we go down with anything less of that attitude, we might as well not turn up."
