Antrim’s campaign for the new season kicked off in Clones on Saturday with defeat to a strong Monaghan side but despite being well beaten in the end there were aspects of the game that were pleasing and must have given manager Lenny Harbison encouragement.
Antrim had a number of new faces in action and the likes of Patrick McCormick (Moneyglass), Darren McCormick (Tir na nOg), Andrew Sweeney (St. Jude’s), Fergal Burke (Creggan), Owen McKeown (Lamh Dhearg) and Eoin McCabe (St. Gall’s) got game time and will add to an Antrim panel which has been hurt by injuries and retirements.
Paddy McAleer has taken a year out to gain teaching experience in Qatar, long time keeper Chris Kerr has called it a day and Conor Murray has been out of action with a serious injury sustained in the qualifier against Offaly back in the Summer.
Conor Murray and Matt Fitzpatrickturn away in celebration after Antrim’s goal in a win over Cavan at Woodlands in the McKenna Cup 
Conor Murray fires home against Cavan in the McKenna Cup win at Woodlands
The panel has been further decimated by the unavailability of a number of players from St. Enda’s who will not be available until after their involvement in the All Ireland Intermediate club championship but St. John’s Paddy Nugent has returned to replace Kerr in goals and Martin Johnston of Creggan is back in the panel.
Promotion from division 4 remains Lenny Harbison’s number one objective as he looks forward to the National league but there are still further games to play in the McKenna Cup and these games will provide further opportunity for his new look side to Gel together.
Patrick McCormick, Darren McCormick, Fergal Burke, Owen McKeown and Eoin McCabe have been excellent when I have watched them at club level over the past number of years but they will take time to settle into the county set up and I would appeal to Antrim supporters to turn out in numbers and support our team in the coming year.
We’ll look at the forthcoming game against Armagh in the McKenna Cup later in the week but in the meantime here’s a pictorial of some of the highs and lows of last year in the McKenna Cup, the league and the championship.
Difference of opinion in the game against Laois 
Carlow came to Corrigan Park and ruined Antrim’s promotion hopes while gaining promotion themselves 
Chris Kerr pulls off a spectacular save against Leitrim in the league at Corrigan Park 
Paddy McAleer will miss this year’s campaign due to work commitments abroad 
Matt Fitzpatrick on the attack against Down in the Ulster championship 
Kristian Healey takes on the Offaly defence in Tullamore 
Paddy McBride in action against St. Mary’s in the McKenna Cup 
The injury to Conor Murray in Tullamore against Offaly in the qualifiers that sees him miss the start of this year’s campaign. 
Stephen Beattie in action in Tullamore 
Ryan Murray who had an excellent game against Monaghan in Saturday’s opening McKenna Cup game
Hi can I purchase some photos Conor and Ryan Murray
Yes Brendan not a problem