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Saffrons out to paint Rebels yellow

Thursday, 22 July 2010

Antrim’s Johnny Cambell and winning point scorer Karl Stewart celebrate their victory over Dublin in the All-Ireland SHC Qualifying phase three.

IT'S games like the one between Antrim and Dublin that really make the GAA All-Ireland championships what it is. After beating Clare out of sight a week earlier and with their Under 21 side winning the Leinster title a few days earlier, Dublin were red hot favourites to shut out Antrim at Croke Park on Saturday afternoon in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Qualifying phase three. At times they looked well on their way to doing just that but Antrim stood up and delivered.
“It was great day to be in Croke Park. It was a bit of a shock to the Dubs and maybe even our own fans," said Antrim talisman Liam Watson.
“We were eight points down against Carlow at half time and the management got behind us and gave us a confidence and belief in ourselves. When you have that, you do things that are not expected, and that happened again this time against the Dubs.
“It's a bonus to be where we are this weekend.
“No-one, not even the players I suppose, expected us to be in an All-Ireland quarter-final. But we've bought into the manager's belief and here we are. They all deserve great credit."
The fans might still be on cloud nine after the last gasp win, but the players have quickly come back down to earth and have turned their attention to Sunday's All-Ireland Quarter-Final clash with Cork in Dublin. It's been six years since Antrim were last at this stage and once again they will go in as underdogs, but that doesn't phase their full-forward.
“We came back down to earth very quickly, but we'll remember it. The support we had in Croke Park, not just from the Antrim people, but the Armagh ones too, was amazing. When we got to within three points, to hear the roar from them, sent shivers up your spine. That lifted us too.
“We will go into this match against Cork again as underdogs, but we'll take that because we are back again at Headquarters and that's where you want to be," said Watson.
However, he also knows that if there ever was an opportunity to get the beat of the Munster kingpins now is it.
“We are not going to let Cork roll over us on Sunday. They are disappointed after their Munster final defeat, and they've a number of injuries as well, so if we are ever going to catch Cork when they are down, this is the time to do it."
Tickets for the game will go on sale at Casement Park on Thursday, July 22 from 7pm to 8.30pm.
* ANTRIM minors are also in All-Ireland action this weekend.
It's Dublin for the second weekend running when the hurlers play in the semi-final at Crossmaglen on Saturday, July 24 at 12noon.

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