Ulster Senior Camogie Championship final: Antrim v Down (today, Pearse Og Park, Armagh, 3pm)
THEY have played each other on three occasions during the past eight weeks and this will be the third meeting of Down and Antrim in a final in seven months.
Down hold the upper hand at the moment winning the All-Ireland intermediate final in December and following it up with the Littlewoods Division Two league title three weeks ago.
In between Antrim scored a 1-13 to 0-13 victory over their rivals in the first round of the league eight weeks ago.
There was no Ulster championship last season but Down are the current title holders having claimed back-to-back crowns in 2018 and '19, the latter at the expense of Antrim in Clones.
There is not a shadow of doubt that the standard has been raised significantly by both teams since that Clones meeting just over two years ago. Both are much improved with Down further along the path than the Saffrons.
Down tried to bring through new players during the league campaign to strengthen their squad in preparation for the next three weeks which will really define their season. After today they will zoom in on the three group games in the All-Ireland senior championship.
They will probably need to use up to 20 players over the course of those All-Ireland games and I think that they will bring those players into the team during this Ulster final.
Antrim were more intent on winning every game in the league, building a momentum that has brought a lot of confidence into their play. However, they were forced into changes over the course of the league games due to injury and latterly Covid contacts. It hasn’t been a bad thing as other players have come into focus and claimed places on the team.
They are a lot better prepared for the All-Ireland intermediate championship this season than they were last autumn when the new management had a mix of players making themselves available. The games against Down have also brought them on in terms of intensity even though the end product of a title has not resulted.
I doubt if Down will overly welcome this game as they prepare for the senior championship next weekend, the possibility of injuries always a worry. Antrim on the other hand have used the Ulster championship to bridge the gap between league and All-Ireland and the first intermediate match will be in a fortnight.
That extra week for preparation might just see the Saffrons have a real go at the champions – although their performance in last week’s semi-final was fairly low-key.
Down’s focus might just be on the All-Ireland games and there could be an opening for Antrim to exploit. But when it comes down to the ability of both teams, Down are that little ahead and will be favourites to retain their crown.
