Sport

Antrim and Armagh clash in championship dress rehearsal

4/7/2021  Antrims  Eoghan Mc Cabe    in action with  Armaghs  Jemar Hall and Stefan Campbell    in yesterdays Ulster Championship Football game at the Athletic Grounds     Picture   Seamus Loughran
4/7/2021 Antrims Eoghan Mc Cabe in action with Armaghs Jemar Hall and Stefan Campbell in yesterdays Ulster Championship Football game at the Athletic Grounds Picture Seamus Loughran 4/7/2021 Antrims Eoghan Mc Cabe in action with Armaghs Jemar Hall and Stefan Campbell in yesterdays Ulster Championship Football game at the Athletic Grounds Picture Seamus Loughran

In three months time, Andy McEntee will patrol the sideline of the Athletic Grounds and plot the downfall of hosts Armagh in the preliminary round of the Ulster Championship, his first championship game in charge of Antrim.

This evening’s McKenna Cup opener against the Orchard County provides a dress rehearsal for that April clash, in McEntee’s first outing in the Saffron bainisteoir bib, although there certainly isn’t as much riding on this one.

A lot can and will happen in that space of time, and both teams have their whole National League campaigns to deal with first, but still, tonight give McEntee a feel for Ulster football.

McEntee guided Meath to back-to-back Leinster finals in 2019 and 2020 but lost out to Dublin on both occasions. He replaced the outgoing Enda McGinley in the Antrim hotseat in July of last year and will be eyeing up a solid National League campaign in 2023.

The Saffrons will compete in Division Three once again this season, where they’ll come up against fellow Ulster sides Cavan (who they also face in round two of the McKenna Cup this Sunday), Down and Fermanagh along with Tipperary, Westmeath, Longford and Offaly.

McEntee will likely use the McKenna Cup to bleed in some fresh faces and has called in a number of new recruits to the Antrim set up. Oisin Kerr and Luke Mulholland, both goalkeepers, left the panel at different stages last season, forcing Enda McGinley to recall former net-minder Chris Kerr to the panel.

Kerr, now playing his club football in the Orchard County with Ballymacnab, has since hung up the boots, so Ronna Hanna and Ryan O’Neill have been drafted in, although Michael Byrne is likely to be the teams number one.

With the likes of the Johnston brothers Marty and Ricky and Niall Delargy no longer part of the panel, Antrim will need to bolster their defensive options.

Cathal Hynes along with Joseph Finnegan have been added to the panel for the upcoming season, along with Colm McLarnon. Antrim can still call upon the likes of Patrick McBride, Kevin Small and Dermot McAleese for some experience and quality.

The McKenna Cup hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Antrim down through the years, last winning the competition way back in 1981.

Armagh have proven no great shakes either when it comes to the preseason tournament, and haven’t claimed the title since 1994, although they did compete in the 2019 showpiece, but lost out to Tyrone by two-points.

While McEntee may be facing a rebuilding process, Kieran McGeeney will be hoping his side can carry the momentum of 2022 into the new season.

Armagh enjoyed a hugely positive National League campaign, finishing third in the table behind Kerry and Mayo before embarking on a qualifier journey that ended with a heart-breaking penalty shootout defeat to Galway in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

McGeeney will also be on the lookout for some new talent in the McKenna Cup but would appear to have a much strong hand to call upon. With the advantage of home comforts, Armagh should come through this one with a few to spare.