Ulster SFC Quarter-Final
Antrim v Armagh Saturday 12-30 (Corrigan Park)
Like most of you I suspect, I’m sick to the teeth of the ongoing debate about the redevelopment of Casement Park as one obstacle after another has been placed in the way of the promised new stadium.
My views on what has happened and what is likely to happen is for another day and might be better not put in print but the more recent bombshell that Antrim would have to concede home advantage to Armagh in the Ulster SFC Quarter-Final has added insult to injury.
Talk about kicking a man when he’s down! The timing of this announcement was even worse than the announcement itself. Antrim were fighting for division 3 survival when the announcement was made and it certainly proved a distraction as they lost their last two league games to suffer relegation to division 4.
To their great credit the Antrim players and management came out fighting with the announcement that if the game was not played at Corrigan they would not be playing it at all.
A standoff between the Saffrons and Ulster Council ensued as the ‘Corrigan or nowhere’ debate gathered momentum with the provincial body finally relinquishing their stance at the 11th hour.
Corrigan Park has proved an excellent venue since the Casement Park gates were closed back in 2013. A stand and terracing has been installed at the St. John’s ground and the Whiterock Road club have done a superb job in hosting county football and hurling games there.
As the Casement Park debacle continues to drag its feet it would make a lot of sense if the powers that be would provide further funding for the up-dating of terracing and any further development that would enhance the ‘Johnnies’ ground.
Meanwhile its business as usual! Andy McEntee and his Antrim team should be applauded for their stance. It feels a little bit like the Alamo and on Saturday that courage will be needed as they welcome the All Ireland champions to West Belfast. To be fair Armagh never got involved in the argument and their manager Kieran McGeeney appeared to back the Antrim cause.
We at the Saffron Gael have supported the Antrim stance and we will be there to cover Saturday’s David v Goliath encounter.
We call on Antrim fans to get behind their team and hopefully cheer them on to what would be a historic victory.
Come on Antrim!