Ollie Bellew doesn't need to be told that his Antrim side is up against it in tomorrow's All-Ireland U21HC semi-final against Waterford.

Instead of focusing on the star-studded opposition, the St. Gall's clubman is more concerned about how his own team will perform.

"I don't know if I wanted to watch it (the DVD of Waterford's Munster final win over Tipperary) to be honest, it sort of came with an 18+ rating," he remarked in the Irish News.

"We've a good bunch of boys. Given the situation we're in, we're not going to look at Waterford in any great depth. My job is to get the best out of Antrim hurlers.

"There's no point me looking at something I can't control. All I can look at is the boys I have on the pitch. I've got to hope that I've selected the right way, that we've taught them in the right way and mentally prepared them in the right way."

Bellew, who only took the Antrim reins in June, added: "I'd love to see them go out on Saturday and showcase themselves, and show a potential (senior) manager coming in exactly what we have. The boys we have, if they perform, they're as good as any in the country.

"They're just coming from a slightly weaker starting point than Waterford at the minute. I've the same apprehensions that everyone has.

"But I've know these lads long enough to know that if they cut loose on the day, they're as good as anybody. I hope they can do themselves, their clubs and their county proud."

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