McKenna Cup

Monaghan v Antrim

Castleblaney -7-30

Andy McEntee’s Antrim footballers get their first taste of competitive action when they travel to Castleblaney to face Monaghan in the opening round of the McKenna Cup this evening. (Wed)

The Saffrons are in a better place than at this stage of the competition last year with the Meath man coming into the job to replace Enda McGinley just prior to the McKenna Cup and learning on the job.

And learn he did with Antrim going on to challenge for promotion from division 3 but just coming up short before going on to face his native Meath in the Tailteann Cup semi-final where they lost narrowly to the Leinster men.

A good pre-season should see Antrim in a better place than at this stage last year and when I spoke to Andy McEntee, earlier he was pleased with the side’s preparation and excited about some of the new faces that have come into the panel.

An away trip to Monaghan at any stage of the season is a daunting prospect and the Antrim management will be keen on a performance rather than too focused on the result but anything from the game would be a welcome bonus.

The Saffrons face Fermanagh in Ahoghgill at the weekend and a win there looks a more likely possibility but promotion from division 3 of the National League will be Antrim’s number one priority this year.

St. Enda’s Peter Healey captains the Antrim side and is enthusiastic about the coming season. In a recent interview with ‘Belfast live’ Healey said

 “It is the opportunity to go to a team who played in the All-Ireland semi-final and really have a go at them.”

Antrim enjoyed a largely positive first year under Andy McEntee, but Healy feels there’s plenty of room for improvement.

The Saffrons suffered one-point defeats to both Fermanagh and Down in Division Three and lost out to McEntee’s native Meath in the Tailteann Cup semi-final at Croke Park.

With a few minor tweaks the Antrim skipper feels they could challenge for promotion this season. Action in Castleblaney gets underway at 7-30 and the Saffron Gael will be there to cover the game and we would encourage as many Antrim supports as possible to come out and support their side.