Campbell's Saffrons all about the positives ahead of Christy Ring final

Eoghan Campbell is hoping that Antrim's positive approach to the National League will stand to them in Saturday’s Christy Ring 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,