Football

Antrim can keep up winning ways in Waterford

Ryan Murray bagged 1-4 in last weekend's win over London, and will be a key man for Antrim in Waterford today. Picture by Cliff Donaldson
Ryan Murray bagged 1-4 in last weekend's win over London, and will be a key man for Antrim in Waterford today. Picture by Cliff Donaldson Ryan Murray bagged 1-4 in last weekend's win over London, and will be a key man for Antrim in Waterford today. Picture by Cliff Donaldson

Allianz National Football League Division Four: Waterford v Antrim (today, 12.30pm, WIT Arena)

CONSIDERING it is a 400-odd mile round trip for today’s lunchtime throw-in at the WIT Arena, Antrim will be determined to leave Waterford with another two points on the board.

The Saffron players made the first leg of the journey last night, buoyed by last weekend’s victory over London but still wondering how they have found themselves edged out of the promotion shake-up heading down the final straight.

That win over the Exiles was their first at the fourth attempt after disappointing defeats to Wexford and Leitrim – despite a good first half performance - followed their dogged opening day reversal against Derry.

Boss Lenny Harbinson will be keen to end the campaign on a high note, and they started well last week, Ryan Murray becoming the first player to find the net against London in the League, courtesy of a first half penalty, as the Saffrons overcome a slow start to get the win.

The Antrim boss has kept faith with the 15 who started that game, and the Saffrons have a strong recent record against the Deise, winning their last five League encounters and coming back up the road with a 2-12 to 0-10 win last year.

Like today’s opponents, Waterford have also struggled to pick up points, edged out by Wicklow in Dungarvan in the first round of games before they were well beaten by Limerick and Derry.

However, Benji Whelan’s men had too much goal-power for a Wexford, whose only League points were collected against Antrim.

Waterford leapfrogged their south east neighbours with a 5-4 to 0-12 win, despite going down to 14 men at the end of first half when Ray O Ceallaigh was show a red card.

By that stage goals from Ferghal O Cuirrin and Dylan Guiry had put them 2-2 to 0-6 ahead, with O Cuirrin, Shane Aherne and Conor Murray bagging their remaining majors.

With little but pride at stake now, Antrim’s objective must to be build as much momentum as possible heading towards their May 25 Ulster Championship date with Derry or Tyrone. They should keep up their winning ways today.

Antrim: P Nugent; P McCormick, R Johnston, P Gallagher; N Delargy, M McCarry, D Lynch; M Fitzpatrick, M Johnston; K Quinn, S Beatty, P McBride; C Duffin, R McCann, R Murray