Antrim’s PJ McGourty wheels away in celebration after scoring the goal that saw the Saffron’s defeat Laois in division 3 of the National league at Corrigan last year. If Antrim can gain full points from their games against Carlow and Limerick then the Easter weekend game in Portlaoise could be a promotion decider.

NEW FIXTURES SCHEDULE COULD HELP ANTRIM’S CHANCES

Although it had been suggested in some quarters at the week-end that Antrim footballers could be looking at the difficulty of a mid-week trip to Portlaoise that now will not be the case.

The ‘Beast from the East’ and the cold snap caused the wholesale cancellation of round five of the National League fixture list at the weekend and the Saffron’s appeared to be heading for a four hour trip to face the table toppers on a Wednesday night.

Such a trip would potentially have put Lenny Harbison’s side at a distinct disadvantage and Antrim chairman Collie Donnelly led the voices opposed to such a fixture but common sense appears to have come into play.

Croke Park have made announcement to-day that the games originally scheduled for Sunday 4^th will now take place on Easter week-end and the original dates for rounds 6 and 7 remain as fixed;

The original fixture looked a potential banana skin for Antrim and took on championship proportions. A defeat would have left Antrim trailing both Laois and Carlow by three points with only two games remaining but a win now against Carlow in their next game could see Antrim climb above the Leinster men.

Antrim will have their next outing against Carlow as scheduled at Ahoghill on March 18^th and will travel to Limerick on the following week-end 25^th March.

They will meet up with Laois now on either March 31^st or April 1^st in a tie which may well be of huge significance.

Antrim v Carlow (March 18^th)

Limerick v Antrim (March 25^th)

Laois v Antrim (March 31^st or April 1^st)

April 7/8 Allianz Division 4 League Final