By Kevin Herron
Paddy Cunningham believes Antrim will be up against it when Leitrim visit Corrigan Park on Sunday afternoon (3 o’clock throw-in).
The Saffrons are bidding for a third win in succession to cement top spot in the Division Four North section of the Allianz National Football League while Leitrim travel to the Whiterock Road without a win in their previous two outings and no chance of claiming a semi-final spot.
Cunningham is expecting Leitrim to provide a stern test but is expecting stiff competition from within the Antrim squad ahead of Sundays clash.
“You’re only as good as your last game and no doubt we’ll be up against it” Cunningham believes.
“Leitrim need to win, they got beat by Louth and they’ve nothing to lose. They will come out and throw everything at us on Sunday. We need to prepare diligently and improve on our mistakes from last Sunday. There is a lot of learning that needs to be taken from 1-15 and then also there is serious competition within the squad as well. There is four or five lads who were unfortunate not to make the 26 and they will be chomping at the bit to get in on Sunday”.
Cunningham is glad to go into Sunday’s game with a guaranteed semi-final spot regardless of the outcome and insists they can go out and try and get the perfect performance.
“It was just great to get the two points against Louth and Sligo” reflected Cunningham
“With getting the two wins it leaves us in the position for a play-off in three weeks to try and get to the league final. It means we can go into Leitrim still looking get a performance – but knowing that we are in a semi-final in a few weeks’ time. From that point of view, it is great for the boys, great for the squad and great for the team”.
The 36-year-old has called on his team-mates to improve on the disciplinary aspect of their game – having conceded three penalties against Sligo last weekend.
Cunningham was a spectator for 64 minutes and admits he was delighted to come off the bench to influence proceedings for the second week running.
“It’s something we definitely have to work on in terms of discipline” admits Cunningham
“We gave away three penalties and that’s something we definitely have to home in on for the semi-final but there’s not much you can do when you’re standing on the subs bench. I was just glad to get in and get an opportunity to try to influence the game and thankfully we done enough to come out on the right side of the it against a very formidable Sligo team”.