Hurlers de Antrim: Learning curve facing the saffron after Dublin ‘hidden’ – Bennett

The Antrim Hurling selector, Pat Bennett, admitted that the saffrons faced a strong “learning curve” after taking what he described as a “hiding place” in the first game of division 1b of the Allianz Hurling League on Saturday against Dublin in Croke Park.

The new Davy Fitzgerald manager could not patrol the lateral line or be in the locker room, since he was fulfilling a suspension that also meant that Bennett had to fulfill the duties of the media after the defeat from 1-25 to 0-14.

“You have to be disappointed, but you have to put it in perspective. We have been here five weeks,” said Saffrons selector.

“Dublin has been automating for five or six years.

Fitzgerald is trying to change the short paste style favored by the previous manager Darren Gleeson, and Bennett said he will take the time to the players adapt to the new method.

“You cannot simply change a guy who has been playing in the same way for two, five, six years when we turn and change the system and hope he is doing different things.

“We have agreed the system with which we are going to go and we only have to improve in it.”

This will greatly imply a more direct game plus the use of a sweeper, with Niall O’Connor trying to take that role on Saturday despite the one he wore the 15 -15 -century shirt.

“They are throwing them a lot. They are accustomed to playing in a way and then changing it. He is telling them what to do and are thinking. And once they think, they are in trouble.

“We gave seven for overload. That is because they were thinking: ‘What do I do next?'”

Bennett admitted that he could take “a year” so that the Fitzgerald system becomes a second nature for the Saffrons team.

But he said that Antrim’s players must now regroup for the game at the house of the next weekend against a Westmeath team with whom Saffrons have had many battles over the years.

“Westmeath beat us in the league last year and will be waiting for us again. We have to go and raise our heads and do it again.”