Tailteann Cup Round 2

Antrim v Limerick

Corrigan Park-Saturday 4-30

Following last weekend’s defeat to Westmeath in Mullingar, Saturday’s meeting with Limerick tomorrow (Saturday) at Corrigan Park is one that Antrim must win if they are to retain any ambitions of being involved in the later stages of the Tailteann Cup.

Westmeath at Cusack Park was always going to be a tough ask for the Saffrons and so it proved to be as a Luke Loughlin inspired home side ran out convincing winners in the end.

For 40 minutes though Andy McEntee’s side were performing well and looked to be still in contention but they would eventually concede 4 goals over the course of the game and ended up losing by 16 points.

It goes without saying then that Antrim will need to tighten up in defence for the visit of Limerick, who defeated London the day previous to Antrim’s meeting with Westmeath, but wholesale changes would not be the answer.

Antrim’s last meeting with tomorrow’s opponents was back in January 2024 in division 3 of the National League when the Saffrons travelled to Rathgael and recorded a good win over the home side.

Antrim had a descent season in the league in 2024 with three wins that maintained their division 3 status while Limerick were relegated and played their football in division 4 last year.

A year on its Antrim who are heading to the lower division after a season where they played well in spells but too often were unable to maintain it for the full 70 plus minutes.

Limerick are going in the opposite direction and will play their football in division 3 again in 2026 after finishing second to Wexford in division 4 and following last week’s win over London, will travel to Belfast with confidence.

It’s a game that Antrim should win if they can perform anywhere near the level they are capable of and Limerick at home is a different proposition to Westmeath in Mullingar but there is no margin for error.

LIMERICK 0-25 LONDON 1-15 (Tailteann Cup – Round 1)

A dominant third quarter propelled Limerick to a vital seven point victory in the Tailteann Cup as they got the better of London in Newcastle West.

Division Four runners up Limerick were slow to settle and it was the visitors who were able to find their feet early in the game. Ciarán Diver kicked two early points before Shay Rafter (free) put them 0-3 to 0-1 early on.

Jimmy Lee’s charges had a great 8 minute spell which pulled them well clear. Darragh O’Hagan landed the first two-pointer, before another youngster, Rigter, added a free from near the sideline – for another two.

Iain Corbett, Danny Neville and Naughton put the foot on the gas with accurate kicking as Limerick dominated the Andrew Walsh kick-out.

The Exiles rallied and Liam Gallagher (45), as well as a pair from Shay Rafter either side of a fine goal from Ruairí Rafferty saw the gap cut to just two at the interval.

It was 0-14 to 1-8 at half time but, London would only register six further points as the Limerick defence tightened considerably.

Substitute Barry Coleman and veteran Iain Corbett both kicked two pointers with Joshua Obahor and Shay Rafter replying in between.

The Treaty finished strongly and keeper Josh Ryan kicked a monster 2 pointer as they eventually won by 7 points in Newcastle West.

Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keenan, James McAuley, Dermot McAleese, Marc Jordan, Conor Hand, Paddy McBride, Ryan McQuillan, Dominic McEnhill and substitute Niall Burns all did enough in Mullingar to get the nod for a start against Limerick and I wouldn’t expect the side not to show too many changes for a game that Antrim should win.