Football

Creggan ground is big enough say Saffrons

ANTRIM PRO Sean Fleming is "confident enough" that Creggan can cope when Armagh visit in the second round of the Dr McKenna Cup this Sunday.

A crowd of almost 8,500 paid into the Athletic Grounds as the Orchardmen hosted Tyrone on Sunday, leading to a half-hour delay in the start of the match to allow entrance.

The actual attendance would have been larger than that figure given that U16s are allowed free admission.

"It is a concern for us if Armagh bring the same following, but that was probably due to Armagh Tyrone being a big local derby," said Fleming.

"Creggan can cater for several thousand people. We've used it since we haven't had Casement and we're confident enough that the ground will be big enough to cope with whatever crowd turns up."

However, the Saffron spokesman has urged supporters to come early as access and parking are more limited than at some venues.

Most of the traffic will have to come in one way, turning in where the M2 ends at an exit for Randalstown, then briefly on the Moneynick Road before heading in along the Staffordstown Road to Creggan.

"Anyone from Antrim who has attended games there will know about that but we would encourage any of our visitors from Armagh to make sure that they're not turning up at 10-to-two," said Fleming.

"They will have some walking to do to make sure they're there in ample time for the throw-in.

"The only people who would know the other way would be those coming from the south-west/Toome direction, coming from the lough [Neagh] direction."

Although there are limited parking spaces at the ground, the Creggan club has also arranged parking facilities at the nearby school.

* ANTRIM'S senior hurlers will open their Walsh Cup campaign at home to DIT this Sunday, at St Paul's in Belfast.