Tailteann Cup Group 2
Antrim v Tipperary-Corrigan Park Sunday 2.00pm
Antrim go into this Sunday’s Tailteann Cup meeting with Tipperary as firm favourites and the favourites tag is not one that Antrim have worn often or well.
It is what it is however and anything other than a win over a Tipperary side who won only one of their six games in division 4 of the National league would be a major disappointment, never the less Antrim would do well to treat Tipperary with the greatest respect.
A descent National League division 3 campaign for Andy McEntee’s side saw them finish just outside the promotion places and their performance against Down in Newry in the Ulster Championship would suggest they are well equipped to give the Tailteann a real lash.
Last year Antrim made headway in the competition only to be knocked out by eventual winners Meath at the Semi-Final stage (2-16 to 2-14) and that Meath side went on to defeat Down in the final.
The Tailteann Cup has certainly fired the imagination of most of the team’s taking part and the Saffrons are certainly taking it seriously with their county panellists withdrawn from club league games in recent weeks.
The campaign gets underway on Sunday against a Tipperary side who struggled in division 4 this year and anything other than a win would be unacceptable for Antrim and its followers.
At the time of writing the Antrim team has not been announced but I would not expect it to show too many changes from the side who faced Down in Newry.
Mick Byrne has become a permanent fixture in the Antrim goal and the sweeper-keeper has weighed in with some major scores this season while Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keenan, Declan Walsh, Joe Finnegan and Dermot McAleese are all likely to line out in defence.
Cathal Hynds has returned to the Antrim mid-field after a lengthy injury and was partnered by Marc Jordan in Newry but the Antrim management could push the Lamh Dhearg flier further forward with Conor Hand or Colm McLarnon possibly partnering Hynds.
Patrick McBride has been down this road with Antrim for over a decade but the St. John’s man has lost none of his enthusiasm or ability and will be looking forward to another challenge in attack while Paddy McAleer, Ruairi McCann, (Creggan) and the other Ruairi McCann (Aghagallon) if fit, look certain starters.
Ryan McQuillan of Glenravel has emerged as a potential match winner in recent games and there is strength in depth in this Antrim squad with Pat Shivers, Niall Burns, Ronan Boyle, Dominic McEnhill, Eoin Hynds and Cormac McGettigan just a few of the names hoping for the nod come Sunday.
After Sunday Antrim then face a long trip to Wexford while their final game against Sligo at a neutral venue could be a Group 2 decider if all goes to plan.
Anything less than a win over Tipperary on Sunday could derail the Antrim plans so the Saffrons need to avoid the potential banana skin and I expect them to get their Tailteann campaign up and running with a resounding victory.
The Tailteann Cup Draw
Group 1: Kildare, Leitrim, Longford, Waterford
Group 2: Sligo, Antrim, Wexford, Tipperary
Group 3: Fermanagh, Laois, Wicklow, Carlow
Group 4: Down, Offaly, Limerick, London
Round 1
11-12.05.2024 (Sat/Sun)
Seed 1 v Seed 3
Seed 2 v Seed 4
Seed 1 & 2 will have home venue.
Round 2
18-19.05.2024 (Sat/Sun)
Seed 3 v Seed 2
Seed 4 v Seed1
Seed 3 & 4 will have home venue.
Round 3
01-02.06.2024 (Sat/Sun)
Seed 1 v Seed 2
Seed 3 v Seed 4
Games will be played at neutral venues.
Full fixture details will be confirmed by the C.C.C.C in due course.