Saffrons targeting Faithful scalp

ANTRIM hurling manager Dinny Cahill has targeted a victory for the Saffrons over Offaly in the first round of the Leinster championship.

The Tipperary native is anxious that his side continue their dominance up north by winning a ninth consecutive Ulster title, but it is only by competing in Leinster that they will improve he argues.

Antrim shipped a number of heavy defeats last year and looked destined for the Christy Ring Cup, but their argument that they had been promised a three-year stint in their adopted province earned them a reprieve.

For the current system to be adopted beyond next season though, Antrim will need to improve. Beating an Offaly team that maintained their Division 1 status in the league this year on May 30 would certainly represent a step forward.

“Winning Ulster is very important” said Cahill yesterday.

“Everyone wants to win the competition. But, at the moment, the main emphasis is on getting ready for Offaly in the first round of the Leinster championship and, from there, if we could get a win, that would be progress.”

Cahill does want to see the Ulster championship strengthening however and the participation of 10 teams in this year’s competition is very positive says the Kilruane McDonaghs clubman.

“I said before that you need to broaden the base and get the counties competing, and that’s essential to improve the game of hurling. I know there are three counties that are very strong, but I remember going to Strabane and coaching underage hurling and they are great hurlers up there too.”

All nine Ulster counties were in the draw for the Ulster championship, with London also in the hunt.

The competition gets under way on Saturday with Armagh travelling to Donegal, Lory Meagher Cup champions Tyrone playing host to Cavan, and Fermanagh taking on Monaghan.