Tailteann Cup quarter-final
Wexford v Antrim,
Chadwicks Wexford Park, Wexford, 1pm
Antrim make the long journey to Chadwicks Park to take on Wexford in the knockout stages of the Tailteann Cup. They say lightning never strikes twice in the same place but can it strike again at Chadwicks Park on Sunday?
The Saffrons travelled to Wexford in the group stages last year and recorded a good win over Sunday’s host to finish in second place on score difference to Sligo after drawing with the Connaught side and defeating Tipperary.
A Ruairi McCann goal at Chadwicks Park would prove the important score as Antrim ran out 1-15 to 0-17 winners. The Aghagallon man’s goal after 5 minutes gave Antrim a lead they would not lose for the remainder of the game.
The big full-forward has made a habit of getting goals against Sunday’s opponents over the years and undoubtedly would like to add to his impressive record against the Leinster men.
McCann, like some of his colleagues has been hampered by injuries and a dip in form this year but has been named in Andy McEntee’s side to face Wexford after missing the Saffrons excellent victory over London in Newry last week which earned them a place in Sunday’s quarter-final.
Patrick Finnegan was also missing for the London clash but with McCann, is one of two changes to the starting line-up against the Exiles with Conor Stewart and Ryan Murray making way.
Croke Park hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Wexford so far this year.
They lost the Division 4 league final there, to Limerick, and were beaten by Fermanagh at GAA HQ in their final Tailteann Cup group game last weekend so will be hoping that a win on Sunday will give them another opportunity to put that right.
There would not appear to be much between this weekend’s opponents though Wexford gained promotion from division 4 while Antrim were relegated from division 3
Robbie Brooks came on against Fermanagh last Sunday in Dublin for Wexford and has kept his spot in the starting team, the only change to John Hegarty’s line-up.
Despite that relegation, Antrim showed just how aggressive and potent they can be in the first-half of their Ulster SFC clash with All-Ireland holders Armagh and carried some of that form into the London game.
That win over London was their first of the Tailteann Cup campaign and secured them the last preliminary quarter-final spot. Andy McEntee will be hoping that lightning can strike again at Chadwicks Park and can call upon a strong bench if needed.
Niall Burns was excellent when introduced in the second half and scored 1-1 in Newry and may feel unfortunate not to have earned a starting spot while Conor Stewart and Ryan Murray did little wrong and will be champing at the bit if called upon.
Only a point separated Sunday’s opponents last time they met but if Antrim can produce their best form then I expect them to advance to a third Tailteann semi-final in a row.
WEXFORD: Darragh Brooks; Michael Furlong, Gavin Sheehan, Liam O’Connor; Eoin Porter, Glen Malone, Pairic Hughes; Liam Coleman, Niall Hughes; Martin O’Connor, Tom Byrne, Mark Rossiter; Kevin O’Grady, Robbie Brooks, Sean Nolan.
Subs: Colum Feeney, Sean Barden, Ruairi Martin, Dylan Furlong, Cathal Kehoe, Cathal Walsh, Jack Higgins, Conor Carty, Michael Kinsella, Ben Brosnan, Sean Ryan.
ANTRIM: Michael Byrne; Eoghan McCabe, Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keenan; James McAuley, Dermot McAleese, Patrick Finnegan; Conor Hand, Marc Jordan; Ronan Boyle, Adam Loughran, Patrick McBride; Ryan McQuillan, Ruairi McCann, Dominic McEnhill.
Subs: Luke Mulholland, Calum Higgins, Conor Stewart, Daniel McNicholl, Eunan Quinn, Fionn Nagle, James McDonnell, John Morgan, Joseph Finnegan, Niall Burns, Ryan Murray.