Antrim produced the first shock of the 2021 season when they beat Brian Lohan's Clare at Corrigan Park this afternoon.
Inspired by a man-of-the-match display from Ciaran Clarke and a Neil McManus wonder-point, the Saffrons made a barnstorming start to the Allianz League campaign.
Tipperary native Darren Gleeson took over Antrim in September 2019 and has completely turned their fortunes around, leading them to a maiden Joe McDonagh Cup success and a return to Division 1 hurling for the first time since 2008.
Here's what Twitter had to say about the Saffrons' giant-killing act:
Will somebody fona cab for Brian Lohan please? #AntrimGAA #Clare #AntvCla #AllianzLeagues pic.twitter.com/65qgMrU9m2
— Colm (@colombo1865) May 9, 2021
Grest result for Antrim. Great to see it #AntrimGAA #AllianzLeagues https://t.co/eufRS6pYg3
— Eugene Ward 🇮🇪 🇵🇪 🇵🇸 (@eugeneward1978) May 9, 2021
Hon The Saffs!
— Northern Property (@propertyni) May 9, 2021
Job done, onto the next one!#northernproperty #ProudSponsors #honthesaffs #antrimgaa #GAA @ Corrigan Park https://t.co/6S55CmoEGQ
Yesterday @buff_egan has a rant about how Westmeath, Laois Antrim and the likes shouldn’t be in the top division. Today Antrim beat Clare and he deletes all his tweets from yesterday 😂😂😂 #AntrimGAA
— James McCormack (@napsackandcrack) May 9, 2021
• 🏟 Corrigan Park Belfast
— UnOfficialGaa (@UnOfficialGaa) May 9, 2021
Credit to Antrim Gaa. They've done a fine job on the place. Lovely scenic background. #GAA #GAANHL pic.twitter.com/sIdr3ybHfX
Impressive win for Antrim hurlers today against Clare....👏🟨⬜
— Cormac Lonergan (@CormacLonergan1) May 9, 2021
That was some afternoon at Corrigan Park. Antrim mark their return to the top flight with a fully deserved win over Clare. A serious performance
— David Mohan (@DavidMohan99) May 9, 2021
When you have no Antrim hurlers on your fantasy hurling team and they beat Clare #AllianzLeagues pic.twitter.com/gV0R7lXqvo
— Jack Butler (@Ginganinja466) May 9, 2021
Opening weekend but Clare hurlers and management have plenty to reflect upon. The closing minutes exposed poor decision making from Clare and they were punished by Antrim. Clare need a result against Wexford next weekend!
— Hawkeye Sidekick (@hawkeyesidekick) May 9, 2021
Clare were 1/16 to win today and failed to so 😳😳 some result for Antrim in fairness. Fucking piles the pressure on Laois in division 1 now #ANTVCLA
— John Lally (@Johngo_Fett94) May 9, 2021
Darren Gleeson is proving himself a top class hurling manager. Has instilled a real ambition in Antrim hurling. Great to see a sleeping giant of the game back beating established counties like Clare. Great stuff @AontroimGAA 👏 #AllianzLeagues
— Stephen Gleeson (@StephenGleeson_) May 9, 2021
Superb result for Antrim today v Clare. Said it last year- standard of club hurling I have seen in Antrim is as good as I have seen in most counties and they have very good players. Hopefully some lads will wake up and stop patronizing them. Are where they are because deserve it
— Paraic Fanning (@Paraic_Fanning) May 9, 2021
Great win for Antrim! Neil McManus has been a warrior for them for years and steps up today when they needed him most 💪🏻👏🏻👏🏻 https://t.co/RZf7UEjv8i
— Paul Murphy (@PaulMurphykk) May 9, 2021
What a score from Neil McManus 😮 Injury-time now and Antrim lead by a point pic.twitter.com/qXob0JMI1x
— Andy Watters (@andyirishnews) May 9, 2021
TweetMan of the match Ciaran Clarke @CiaranClarke2 🏆#AllianzLeagues #HonTheSaffs pic.twitter.com/FlX4RMVvl6
— Antrim GAA (@AontroimGAA) May 9, 2021