Tailteann Cup quarter-final
Brewster Park Enniskillen-Saturday 6.00pm
Antrim travel to Brewster Park Enniskillen on Saturday night to take on Fermanagh in the quarter-final of the Tailteann Cup and will go into this game as outsiders despite a win over the Erne County in last year’s competition in the group stages.
Back in 2023 goals from Oisin Doherty and Ruairi McCann in stoppage time, saw Antrim book their spot in the Tailteann Cup Quarter Finals, as they left it late to put the tie with Fermanagh to bed.
It was a close fought game and despite Fermanagh starting the second half two points down and kicking 1-4 to lead by five minutes later, Antrim fought hard to get the result and the goals late in stoppage time proved the deciding scores.
Fermanagh had to settle for second spot, lucky not to lose that to Wexford, score difference between them the deciding factor as they both played out a draw earlier in the group.
After both sides exchanged early points, Fermanagh started to put their stamp on proceedings, Sean Quigley pointed either side of Tommy McCaffery for a three point lead at the end of the opening quarter.
Back came the Saffrons and they soon were level, Dominic McEnhill with two frees sandwiched between an Adam Loughran point to level just after the half hour mark.
Ruairi McCann put Antrim ahead with the first of two points as they looked to be taking a two point lead to the break, McCann pointing his second in stoppage time, Quigley cancelled it out, but after seven minutes of stoppage time, Peter Healy got up from defence to point and Antrim made it 0-7 to 0-5 at the break.
Whatever was said in the Fermanagh dressing room at half time, reenergised the side at they came out for the second half, Ultan Kelm and Ryan Jones pointed inside two minutes to level the tie, before Jones buried to the net to put Fermanagh head 1-7 to 0-7 seconds later.
Kelm moved Fermanagh four ahead in a pulsating opening five minutes of action, but more was to come as Antrim got a foot into the game, McEnhill got them on the board with a free, before Patrick McCormick made it a two point game.
Seconds later Adam Loughran had the ball in the Fermanagh net and the Saffrons were in front once again, but Ronan McCaffrey was able to kick over the blackspot as Fermanagh replied almost immediately to level.
Michael Byrne pointed a 45 to put Antrim ahead again but Garvan Jones swiftly responded for Fermanagh before Adam Loughran and Ruairi McCann made it 1-12 to 1-10 in favour of Antrim with quick scores, but Quigley nailed another free to leave a point between them.
Into stoppage time the sides would again swap points, Antrim holding out on the scoreboard 1-13 to 1-12, but goals from Oisin Doherty and McCann wrapped up the tie to see them win by seven.
There have been changes in both sides since that meeting back on the 4th June 2023 with two of Antrim’s goal scorers, Oisin Doherty and Adam Loughran no longer available.
Doherty has left the panel while Loughran has been missing through a long term injury and is unlikely to figure but Peter Healey, who captained the side that day is not far away from a return.
Patrick McCormick who played that day is another who has left the panel while Conor Stewart is still recovering from a long term injury and will not be available this weekend.
Team captain Peter Healey and Conhuir Johnston, who came on as a sub last year got minutes into their legs last week against London and should be available on Saturday night.
Eunan Walsh has returned to the Antrim panel and has been a great addition at full-back while Ryan McQuillan, Niall Burns and Kavan Keenan have all proved useful additions to the side this season.
Fermangh played their football in division 2 this year where they recorded some excellent results including wins over Cavan and Kildare and a draw against Meath but finished second bottom in the division and will be back in division 3 next year.
With home advantage and the fact that they have played their football at a higher level the Erne County will go into Saturday night’s encounter as firm favourites but Antrim have been playing well throughout the Tailteann Cup and have the players to cause an upset.