Football

Antrim joint manager Frank Fitzsimons looking for a reaction against Sligo

Frank Fitzsimons has been impressed with CJ McGourty since his return to the Antrim panel
Frank Fitzsimons has been impressed with CJ McGourty since his return to the Antrim panel Frank Fitzsimons has been impressed with CJ McGourty since his return to the Antrim panel

Allianz National Football League Division Three: Antrim v Sligo (Tomorrow, Corrigan Park, 2pm)

AFTER Antrim’s abysmal performance in Offaly 13 days ago, joint manager Frank Fitzsimons expects a positive reaction ahead of tomorrow’s Division Three clash with buoyant Sligo.

The Saffrons put in an encouraging display in their League opener against Tipperary but seven days later they were humbled in Tullamore by 13 points.

Fitzsimons is banking on damaged pride, home advantage and the permanent return of the college boys to reverse their fortunes.

Sigerson Cup winner with St Mary’s Matthew Fitzpatrick has been the team’s stand-out player in Antrim’s two NFL defeats, notching a combined 1-5 from play.

Jack Hannigan, a late substitute for St Mary’s last weekend, is also back in harness.

Peter Healy, an unused sub for UCD in that Sigerson decider, resumes for his county, as does Trench Cup winner with Dundalk IT Eunan Walsh and back-up ‘keeper Ronan Hanna.

Kevin Niblock is hoping to overcome a knock to face Niall Carew’s Sligo side but tomorrow comes too soon for Sean McVeigh (knee).

The all-action Ballymena midfielder is back on the pitch again and is running in straight lines but still lacks the mobility to see game-time.

Tomas McCann remains absent as his wife recently gave birth while his Cargin club-mate and former captain Kevin O’Boyle is nearing full-fitness.

“We all sat down and talked about the Offaly performance and we know how bad it was, and we don’t want to be feeling like that after a game again,” insisted Fitzsimons.

“Basically we need a reaction after the Offaly game. We all accept that. There were so many of us that didn’t perform.”

Despite back-to-back defeats and a relegation dog-fight looming, there have been shafts of light for Fitzsimons and Gearoid Adams.

Conor Small, Conor Hamill, Paddy McAleer and Stephen Beatty mightn’t have much inter-county experience but they’re showing encouraging glimpses.

And while CJ McGourty’s return to the fold drew criticism in parts of the county, Fitzsimons gave an adamant assessment of the 28-year-old St Gall’s attacker.

“He wants to play for Antrim. It’s simple as that,” said Fitzsimons.

McGourty has come off the bench in both the Tipp and Offaly games and has been on target six times.

“I’ll tell you what he gives us, around that 30-metre mark he can pick a pass that others can’t see. He can drop a ball into a player’s chest for a goal - and that’s what we need.

“But more important than anything else is he wants to play for Antrim. Everybody we have, to be fair, wants to play for Antrim.

“They’re all giving 100 per cent in training and on the pitch and you can’t ask for any more. And that gives us a lift.

"But let’s be realistic, outside of our own camp, few people would have given us a chance of getting anything from our first two games away to Tipperary and Offaly.”

The Yeats men arrive at the west Belfast venue unbeaten in their two games.

They came back from six points down at home to Armagh to steal a draw and sealed a one-point in Tipperary even though they led by 10 points at one stage.

With Antrim still trying to put their best foot forward, Sligo may just have enough attacking quality to ride out of town with the points.

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