NFL Division 3
Antrim v Limerick (Corrigan Park-Saturday 2-30pm)
Following an excellent opening day victory over Fermanagh in Brewster Park last Saturday evening, Antrim face another stiff test when Limerick visit Corrigan Park this Saturday in Round 2 of the league.
The Shannonsiders were perhaps more impressive in their opening day victory over Longford at the TUS Gaelic Grounds, scoring four goals in the process to run out 7 point winners over a Longford side who looked a bit off the pace during the opening exchanges.
Billy Lee’s side were made to sweat late on, but were deserving of the victory after a clinical opening half.
Leading 3-5 to 0-7 at the interval, the home side had all their scores from play and were cutting open a disjointed-looking Longford defence.
Cillian Fahy found the net inside three minutes, with Padraig De Brún providing the first of many assists on a cold evening.
Two goals in five minutes put Limerick in firm control. First, Peter Nash and Cillian Fahy combined to feed Donovan, who made no mistake and Donovan raided through again to latch onto a Robbie Bourke pass to net his second.
Despite a healthy half-time lead, late scores from Jayson Matthews and Darren Gallagher gave Longford some interest.
Limerick keeper Donal O’Sullivan denied Kenny with a point blank save before Jim Liston was well positioned when Darragh Doherty shot for goal on the rebound. A goal at that stage would have ignited this contest but the gap remained at seven points.
1-1 from Longford’s Darragh Doherty brought this game back to just two points, but Robbie Bourke delivered a valuable score for Limerick to end their 20-minute famine without a score.
With that, came more scores on the counter-attack, James Naughton tapped home a rebound for a goal before Donovan capped a fine display with a long range effort.
Reflecting on their win, Billy Lee was content to win the first of four home league games.
“Two points is a nice start. We proved to be more clinical when the goal opportunities came. When playing at home, you want to hit the ground running, we certainly did that.”
Antrim finished strongly at Brewster Park to run out convincing 9 point winners in the end but it doesn’t tell the whole story of what was never the less a fairly satisfactory opening day performance.
Fermanagh squandered three goal opportunities in the opening half and Antrim’s three point lead at half time flattered them. The Erne side staged a strong second half rally to close the gap to just one going into the closing stages but a goal from Kevin Small in the 58th minute killed off their challenge.
Five further unanswered scores from Jamie Gribbin, Tomas McCann, Ruairi McCann, substitute Seamus McGarry and Dermot McAleese added further gloss to the scoreline for the Saffrons but despite their delight with the result there were aspects of the Antrim performance that did not please the Antrim management.
Manger Enda McGinley stated, “We were happy to get out with the win but I suppose, in reality the result was better than the performance. We’ll take it for what it was which is 2 valuable points and a really good learning curve. For a lot of the lads it was their first full 80 minutes of competitive action which they’ve had in a long time so to come through it without major injury is another big bonus”.
Moving on to the Limerick game McGinley was quick to note the goal scoring potential that the Shannonsider’s pose following their four goal salvo against Longford at the weekend.
“The fact that we gave Fermanagh the goal chances in the first half is the biggest concern to be honest and the fact that Limerick were so potent in that regard against Longford means we have plenty to keep our minds focused this week.
Having got to see Limericks game against Longford I have to say they were hugely impressive. Their power and pace, especially when attacking is reminiscent of their hurlers which is going to be a serious challenge for us.
Again like many of the teams we will play against, they have greater experience of playing at this level but I think in addition to that, looking at their performances over the past few years, its clear Billy Lee has really found a different level in them.
They have lost a number of long serving players but have managed to replace them with players who are really increasing the teams pace. Given it is such a potent weapon in the modern game they would seem to be in as strong a position as they have been in for a long time.
I see Eamon Fitzmaurice tipping them for promotion and given he is close to them down there, it’s clear he’s sensed that their camp is on a really good path.
So that’s the challenge that awaits but that’s why the lads commit to playing county football. To take on these other teams who are similarly really pushing themselves to maximise their playing level. We are certainly looking forward to getting back out onto Corrigan Park.
It was good to us last year and hopefully we can raise our game to the right level that we can make it good for us again on Saturday. From what I’ve seen it’s going to take us at our best to get the result. Hopefully we’ll get good support out. I know the work that the lads are putting in and think they are on a good path but its matches like Saturday that will be our real tests and every bit of support in such fixtures often counts!”
Antrim last met Limerick in division 4 of the NFL back in 2020, just prior to the first lockdown and recorded a big win over the visitors in Portglenone but that result will count for nothing come Saturday.
The Saffrons have made steady progress under the new management team, gaining promotion from division 4 last year and making a good start to this season with wins over Down and a 2 point defeat to Donegal in the McKenna Cup.
The side displayed a lot of intensity in their win over Fermanagh last weekend but will be determined to eradicate the errors which led to those wasted goal scoring opportunities for Fermanagh in the opening half.
Limerick are capable of exploiting such errors if they should present themselves but I expect Antrim to build on the best aspects of the football they have produced this season and leave Corrigan with another two points in the bag.