Eoghan Campbell is hoping that Antrim's positive approach to the Allianz League will stand to them in Saturday’s Joe McDonagh final.
On paper the Ulstermen didn’t set the world alight in topflight hurling in the league just passed. They played five games in Division 1B and lost all five, ending the campaign pointless.
The reality, however, was different. Except for the Tipperary game, they were very competitive in all other fixtures. They retained their Division One status by beating Offaly and won four games on the spin to qualify for the Joe McDonagh Cup final.
Already in the final, they played Kerry last week with a much changed team and now face the same opposition on Saturday in the 2022 McDonagh Cup decider.
Campbell is hoping that their mindset will stand to them.
"We take the positives because we didn’t go to the league looking for one win to help ensure survival. We went into every game looking to attack and win. In the Kilkenny, Waterford and Dublin games we pushed hard.
"The Tipperary game was an irregularity, but we went out to attack in all of those games and hopefully that will stand to us now. We know we have that ability to drive on, no matter what level we are playing."
Speed and conditioning is the big difference in the gap between Division One and Division Two, in Campbell's opinion.
"Since Darren (Gleeson) came in, he put a big emphasis on S&C and our panel has improved massively in that regard. In our last two league seasons we have been able to compete physically, and our conditioning is at that level.
"Getting games at that standard is the key, you need a level and need exposure to that level. We can’t be swinging up and down so staying at that level helps us drive on. Surviving in Division One is tough, so it was great to achieve."
The Cushendall man, whose family is steeped in the game is asked what the GAA could do to help more counties make the step up.
He feels the current system is working. And says that more promotion would always be welcome.
"I think the way that the Joe McDonagh and the hurling leagues are structured is very good. If the Joe McDonagh Cup was not there we would be up and down. Instead, it allows us four to five games with teams who are at our level. And that allows us to be consistent.
"So, promoting it as much as possible from there is the key. We even see it playing in Corrigan Park that staying in the top-flight has helped us in terms of exposure and now to be playing before a Leinster final in front of our families and Antrim kids will be great.
"The fans will stay to watch the Leinster final afterwards and that’s a fine day out for them. You are getting as many big days out as possible and that’s the key."
Campbell stresses that the same logic applies to the other hurling counties in Ulster if they want a good solid provincial championship north.
"We need Down and Derry and Armagh to come along with us," he says.
"We want an Ulster hurling championship to develop. We wanted consistent games against opposition and in Ulster Down and Derry need to play us and the others very often to keep the development strong. That’s how an Ulster championship would definitely help."
When Antrim won the McDonagh Cup in 2020 there wasn’t a soul in the house. Covid ensured that games were played behind closed doors.
"Eerie," says Campbell. "A massive stadium, no-one inside and you could hear the pigeons at the top of the stand.
"The high-profile days like that are ones you look forward to so Saturday will be the complete opposite thankfully. You will have fans roaring you on. People from Antrim are die hards for hurling – they go to club games all over Ireland so for them to be there will be serious."
In a few years they might be able to regularly set up home at Casement Park after this week’s judicial review worked in the stadium’s favour.
"We have been here twice before," Campbell states.
"In a sense the work does start now again. There will be an increase in costs and the question of who will cover that so there are a lot of questions still but to get over this stage is a massive hurdle cleared.
"People say Casement is not going to be the golden ticket for Ulster hurling and it’s not, but it would be a massive step forward all the same.
Joe McDonagh Cup 2020 recap: Antrim 0-22 Kerry 1-17
"For hurlers in the province to see a stadium in Ulster that rivals any stadium in Ireland is crucial for the game."
And to matters more immediate. Kerry on Saturday. A team they know well – and a team they don’t know so well.
They played the Kingdom and lost last weekend, but that was with much change within their own starting 15. And Kerry’s turnover of players has also been massive in the past 12 months.
"We know them pretty well, but they have a lot of new players in since the last time we played them in a meaningful, proper championship game," he adds.
"They have changed a lot; they are attacking a lot and you can see that in the scores they get. Against us last week their two wing-backs got 0-8 between them. So, it’s up to us to see what way we set up to counteract that too."
All part of it. And exactly where Antrim want to be.
For the moment, at least.
Watch Antrim v Kerry, Galway v Kilkenny (both Saturday) and Clare v Limerick (Sunday) live on RTÉ2, listen live on RTÉ Radio 1 and follow live updates on RTÉ Sport Online or the RTÉ News app
