Lidl Division Four Ladies National League Final

Antrim v Fermanagh – Saturday, 2pm throw-in (Clones)

By Kevin Herron

Antrim ladies manager Sean O’Kane insists that he and his squad are relishing the chance to gain promotion when they take on Fermanagh tomorrow afternoon.

The Saffrons are in the league decider for the third time in six campaigns and go into the clash at Clones (2pm throw-in) with a spring in their step after an impressive semi-final win over table toppers Louth.

Former Armagh boss O’Kane is delighted that his side have reached the final after a few ups and downs during the league campaign and is hopeful that their best will be enough tomorrow afternoon.

“We’re looking forward to Saturday” admits O’Kane.

“It’s come at us very quick with only being a few months into the job with the girls – we’ve had some positives results and a few set-backs but we’re into the final and that’s where every team sets out to be at the start of the campaign. We’ll give it our best shot on Saturday and hopefully our best will see us over the line”.

The sides clashed at the Dub in the first league game at the start of February and a late Joanne Donnan goal sealed a last gasp 3-11-3-09 victory for the Erne county.

O’Kane expects another hard fought and close encounter and isn’t surprised that both sides made the decider.

“I think it will be the same on Saturday, they’re won’t be a lot between either side” predicts O’Kane.

“There’s a lot of good players in each team and I’m not surprised that we both reached the semi-finals and ultimately the decider. Fermanagh have probably had a more consistent campaign than we did, but the last two games we beat Carlow- which was a great scalp, considering they topped the league after four games. We then beat Louth in the semi-final, so we’re in a good place at the minute going into Saturday’s game”.

O’Kane doesn’t believe that either side can take anything from the previous encounter and see’s Saturdays game as a fifty-fifty encounter.

“I don’t think they’ll take anything from the first game – I don’t think either of us can” said O’Kane.

“I don’t really know how organised Fermanagh were – we had two trials before Christmas and we’d nothing done for the league, absolutely nothing. We’ve improved as the league has gone on, so have Fermanagh as well. It’s very much a fifty-fifty game – that’s how I’d see it”.

The Antrim boss is unconcerned with Fermanagh’s logistical advantage and hopes that his players will be able to take advantage of the wide surface at the home of Ulster GAA.

“Clones is close to Fermanagh but the reality is we’ve played in it before” O’Kane acknowledged.

“Fermanagh have played on it before, the pitch shouldn’t hold any worries for any of the girls. It’s a big wide pitch and the girls know how to play it – hopefully they can do that on Saturday when it matters”.

O’Kane revealed that the Saffrons have a full squad to choose from and although protocol from Carole Park asks for his starting eleven early in the week – is adamant that changes may occur before he names the squad at training on Thursday evening.

“We’ve a full squad to choose from” insists O’Kane.

“The protocol is to put a programme in early to Croke Park – it may not be the team that’s named, that will be playing on Saturday. We’ll release that to the players first on Thursday night and work towards what we’re trying to do – win a league title”.