Allianz NFL Division 3
Antrim v Westmeath
Corrigan Park 2-00pm Sunday
Last Sunday’s defeat in Ardee leaves Enda McGinley’s Antrim hanging on to a second successive promotion place by their fingertips but they can still gain promotion if results elsewhere go in their favour.
By virtue of that four point win over Antrim last day out, Louth look to have gained one of the promotion places as they top the table on 9 points with Limerick one point behind on 8 and Antrim and Sunday’s opponents Westmeath both on 7.
A win over Westmeath would move Antrim onto 9 but should Limerick win their final game at home to Fermanagh then that result would be irrelevant. Even a draw would see Limerick advance because of their head to head win over Antrim in Belfast.
Should Westmeath win and Limerick draw then the Lake County would progress as they defeated Limerick in Limerick by virtue of that head to head but, like Antrim they will be focused on their own result in Belfast.
The Antrim management will have been at pains during the week to emphasise the importance of concentrating on their game against Westmeath on Sunday and let the other results look after themselves and a win over the Mid-landers would certainly put the icing on what has been a good first year in division 3.
The Saffrons failed to produce the type of performance in Ardee that by enlarge has epitomised them this year but they did come alive for a period in the second half which saw them threaten a comeback when Dermot McAleese rose to fist a tantalising cross to the net.
A cruel deflection off a defender saw Sam Mulroy finish to the net for Louth at the other end and see the home side collect both points and it was clear from the celebrations in Ardee that the ‘Wee County’ felt that they had already gained promotion as they travel to Aughrim to face Wicklow in their final game.
Limerick look favourites to join them but they might not get it all their own way against a Fermanagh side who have shown glimpses of what they are capable of in recent outings after a slow start to this year’s campaign.
Westmeath have mixed the good with the bad in a season where their early results suggested that they would be one of the favourites for promotion. Wins over Wicklow and Laois were followed by a surprise defeat to Longford and an away loss to Micky Harte’s Louth.
A win away to Limerick suggested that they were back on track but that pointed dropped to Fermanagh last day has left them in a similar boat to Antrim.
Both sides will place their focus on a win on Sunday but the fans and management of whoever is leading going down the home straight at Corrigan will undoubtedly be anxiously tuning into the Limerick v Fermangh game and praying that Sean Quigley and Co. can do them a favour.
