1.00pm Athletic Ground
Armagh v Antrim
Antrim dip their toes in the Ulster Minor Football Championship waters when they travel to the Athletic Grounds on Saturday to face Armagh and need to get off to a good start if they are to qualify from their group.
Under the management of Colin Burgess (Naomh Pol) Tony Close (Kickhams Creggan), Tony Convery (Roger Casements) Owen Doherty (Roger Casements), Laurence Higgins (Naomh Pol), Sean McGreevy (Naomh Pol), Shane Quinn (Naomh Brid), Athletic Development Coach, Marcus Graham and Performance Analyst, Martin McLaughlin (Roger Casements) the squad have worked hard this year but that work has not been reflected as yet during their Ulster League campaign in results.
That league campaign was challenging due to a number of key players ruled out through injury. Their first two games against Armagh and Down were tight and indeed Antrim held what looked like a healthy half time lead against Saturday’s opponents, Armagh but were caught at the post.
They lost against very strong Derry and Monaghan teams so they have not had any success to date but that less than impressive league campaign does not tell the whole story.
The league allowed Antrim to give game time to all available players in the squad. They also have a large number of first year minors in the squad this year so they all got game time which is great experience for them for next year.
Going into championship Antrim have a few experienced players coming back from injury which should strengthen the team.
A good start tomorrow would do wonders going into the rest of the championship campaign and the management are expecting another close game against Armagh, followed by a home game to Cavan next Saturday 22nd, and then away to Tyrone on Saturday 29th.
Key players for the Saffrons are, Senan Nagle (Naomh Eanna) – GK, Sonny Doyle (Naomh Brid) – Defender, Niall Hynds (Con Magee’s) – Midfielder, Liam Lynn (Naomh Gall) – Defender, Ethan Walsh (Naomh Gall) – Defender, Jack Harney (Clan na hEireann) – Defender, James Blaney (Naomh Brid) – Forward, Dara Quinn (Naomh Brid) – Forward
Fintan Close (Kickhams Creggan) and Shea Burns (Naomh Pol) – Forward
Antrim played Armagh in the league earlier in the season. They were winning by 8 points at half time and appeared to be coasting. Armagh came back strongly in the second half to win by five and have a very strong panel with 14 of this year’s squad having been involved in the Armagh Minor Squad last year as well. They also have 7 of the St Paul’s, Bessbrook Rannafast Cup winning team in the squad.
The visitors will start this game as underdogs but are certainly in with a shout and if they can produce a performance like they did in the first half of that league game for the full hour tomorrow then they shouldn’t be too far away.
A good support would certainly help the Antrim Cause so if you are doing nothing on Saturday, get along to the Athletic Ground and cheer on the young Saffrons.
