NIALL McKeever is expected to be fit for Antrim’s All-Ireland Qualifier against Limerick at Corrigan Park tomorrow afternoon – but Brian ‘Bam’ Neeson will be a notable absentee.
Midfielder McKeever was forced to pull out of last month’s Ulster clash with Fermanagh after picking up a quad muscle injury in the warm-up but co-managers Frank Fitzsimons and Gearoid Adams feel that the Portglenone clubman is fit to resume against the Shannonsiders tomorrow.
Sean Burke, who made a good impression as a late substitute against Fermanagh, suffered a nasty hand gash but should be available for selection.
Neeson, though, is unavailable for the Limerick clash. The St John’s man has been a mainstay of the Antrim attack this season and although he had two efforts on the Fermanagh goal he was isolated for long stretches in Brewster Park.
Highly-rated midfielder Sean O’Neill has returned to the Antrim fold after a six-year absence and is in contention to start against Limerick.
Antrim were offered the chance to play tomorrow’s clash at Croke Park as part of a double-header with the county hurlers who replay the Christy Ring final against Meath at headquarters.
But Fitzsimons and Adams declined the offer in favour of bringing Limerick to the west Belfast venue.
“Croke Park is great but I think you have to earn the right to play there,” said Fitzsimons.
“Our players, to be fair, wanted Corrigan Park as well. It might only be two seasons but we’re unbeaten at Corrigan, so it gives us a better chance of winning the game.
“People talk about playing the game at Croke Park but, as managers, we have to think about results.
“No harm to ourselves or Limerick, it’s not going to be a big crowd at Croke Park and it would be better atmosphere at Corrigan Park.”
“Getting home advantage was important to us. I wouldn’t say it’ll make us favourites because Limerick have been playing Division Three all year, but it’s a wee help to us.”
