Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-final
Antrim v London
2.00pm Corrigan Park
As Antrim prepare for Sunday’s preliminary quarter-final against London it is important that the men in Saffron don’t take their eyes of the ball. Despite playing their football in division 4 the Exiles should be treated with the greatest respect even though they didn’t set the NFL Division 4 alight.
London won only one and drew one match in their league campaign so on that form they shouldn’t present Andy McEntee’s Antrim too many problems but a look back over recent games will show that the Exiles have always pushed Antrim to the limits in their recent meetings.
In 2018 Ryan Murray scored 0-8 as Antrim defeated Sunday’s opponents at Ruislip as the Saffrons came from a point down at Half time to win by four and a year later at Corrigan the home side recorded another win over London.
This time there was five between the sides and since then Antrim have moved on to gain promotion to Division 3 where they have established themselves while London remain in the lower grade.
What’s the problem then?
Antrim won their opening two games in the Tailteann Cup over Tipperary and Wexford and drew their third against Sligo who pipped them for top spot on score difference and their recent form would suggest that London shouldn’t present too many problems.
Michael Maher’s side have won only one of their three Tailteann outings to date but it is that win that saw them finish third in their group and earned them a place in Sunday’s preliminary quarter-final.
And it is that win in their first Tailteann outing that should give the Antrim management some concern.
Led by the magnificent Ciarán Diver, London caused a sensational upset against Offaly on their own patch, giving the 2024 Tailteann Cup an explosive start as they picked up their first championship win in 11 years.
Both teams started brightly and after 20 minutes the game was 0-4 apiece, with Offaly’s Ian Duffy, Cathal Donoghue, Dylan Hyland and Jack Bryant all on target. For London, it was a flying start for Ciarán Diver, who managed three from play in quick succession, while Ruairí Rafferty kept the visitors level.
As the half wore on, London’s impetus was clear. They did not visit Tullamore to enjoy the sunshine and scored three without reply through Diver, Stephen Dornan and Michael Carroll to put themselves well on the ascendancy.
London were ahead by two points at half-time as the score stood at 0-8 to 0-6. From the restart, they continued to stamp their authority on a game that Offaly never really got to grips with. Quick counters and clinical finishing saw Aidan McLoughlin and the impressive Shay Rafter point their side further in front. Rafter was a menace in the second half where he managed all four of his points.
Both teams traded points until the 51st minute when a mix up in the Offaly defence saw a loopy ball from Rafferty eventually knocked into the net by the fist of Dornan. Almost against the run of play, what appeared to be a lost attack turned into jubilation for London as they moved further ahead.
London drove at Offaly with incredible persistence and drive from key middlemen McLoughlin, Dornan and Daniel Clarke. Clarke operated particularly well as London’s forward anchor.
In the 66th minute, London’s Diver clinically put away their second goal after a lovely, weighted pass in behind from Clarke. Offaly looked dejected and failed to register another score in the game.
London have failed to build on that opening day win in Tuallamore, losing to Limerick by 2-14 to 0-10 and by 1-24 to 0-10 to Down so was the Tullamore result a fluke-did Offaly take their eye of the ball?
Those subsequent results would suggest that it was but Antrim can’t take London for granted or do I expect them to.
Four the third game in a row Antrim have been able to name an unchanged side and against Sligo last day out in Breffni Park they showed tremendous resolve and character to come back from five down in the opening half to lead by one at the break.
Once again that character was there in abundance in the second half to come back from four down and probably should have won the game and if they can produce anything close to last week’s performance then they should progress to the next round