Throw in 1pm at Henry Joy McCrackens GAC, Moneymore.
Antrim Masters are back in action on Saturday when familiar foes Derry provide the opposition, 1pm throw in, Moneymore GAC.
Antrim began their 6 match league campaign with a resounding victory over Down, but came up slightly short in the in second game when Armagh held on grimly to claim both points on offer. In a most competitive league, where many of the northern sides are grouped together, Derry, Armagh and Tyrone all have won two out of their three games to date, so Antrim need to be at their best on Saturday just to join that elite group on four points from their own three engagements.
With difficult assignments coming down the tracks, including away to Monaghan in a fortnight, then home to Louth and a very tough closing match when Antrim host Tyrone, winners of the Dr Loftus cup for all Ireland winners of the masters series, on Saturday 26th July in Cargin, Antrim need to focus on Derry for now, and going by the last two bruising encounters, there will be little to spare between two very evenly matched teams.
Ironically Derry defeated Armagh, who in turn defeated Antrim, and with home advantage in Owenbeg, you could make a case for Derry being favourites to extend their winning sequence. This point was not lost on assistant manager Timmy Connolly who agrees that this one could be a cliffhanger.
“Derry don’t like losing to Antrim, but we managed to put one over on them last year, and it set things up nicely for our championship encounter later in the year. That one also went to the wire, but Derry proved a bit stronger than us in extra time, before going on to win the intermediate title, easily accounting for Cork in the final. To be fair they are a good side, but we travel with plenty of confidence ourselves” said Connolly who is now in his sixth year with Antrim Masters.
Manager Frank Delargy has come in and restored some prestige to wearing the Antrim jersey at this level, and together we have unearthed a few new players this season, some of whom need no introduction to the football scene in the county.
“We have a grand panel on paper but we will need some of our big guns out for this one. All counties strengthen their panels, not only us, and Derry have some class acts they can call on. Paddy Bradley, Paul Cartin, Gerard OKane, Brian Mullan, Jimmy OConnor, Marty McGrath, plus competitors like Martin McGrath, Sean Brady, Darren Conway and Loup legend Gavin Nipper Mallon. We need to bring our A game to this one that’s for sure!” said Timmy.
At the time of writing the travelling Antrim panel had still to be finalised, but it was hoped that the return of Michael Herron would strengthen the defence, where Stephen OConnell shone in his long awaited debut against Armagh, and Adrian Scullion is expected to be available. Up front the Antrim management team was hoping they could rely on some or all of Kieran Close, Paddy Cunningham or Michael McCarry’s availability, as scores win games and Antrim experienced some difficulty in that regard in their last outing.
Midfield third is where many contests are won or lost, and if Antrim can call on the services of Mick McCann, David McAlernon, Ryan Boyd and Brendan Etherson there is no reason they will not be well in the hunt for both points at the end of what is expected to be an absorbing contest.
