Allianz Football league Division Four: Antrim v Leitrim (tomorrow, 3pm, Corrigan Park, live on GAAGO)
THE luxury of a dead-rubber is not one Antrim have been used to as they’ve battled against the grim realities of Division Four for the most of a generation.
They shall have one tomorrow, ironically on the day that supporters are allowed back through the gates of a tarted-up Corrigan Park and would dearly love something to get their teeth into.
Not that Enda McGinley is likely to let up, but the fact that Antrim are even guaranteed top spot on the basis of their head-to-head records against both Louth and Sligo means there is very little to play for.
So how does he use what becomes in effect a challenge game?
The new manager’s most pressing concern will be on the defensive end. Conceding 3-8 to Louth was a worry and although they cut down on the goal chances against Sligo, they still leaked 3-12.
The three goals all came from penalties, as did one of Louth’s.
The first one last weekend was exceedingly harsh. The other two were given under the new rule guarding against cynicism, and couldn’t really have been argued with.
In total, Sligo scored 3-7 from dead balls. Eight different Antrim players gave away fouls that were punished. While some of the decisions were questionable, they were none moreso than the Saffrons’ tackling.
Declan Lynch was replaced at half-time by James McAuley, who may get the chance to impress from the start tomorrow. Ricky Johnston seems a natural fit for the full-back role given that he’ll be up against Leitrim’s bulky two-footed talisman Keith Beirne, the kind of forward that suits the Creggan man.
Despite the chance to change it up, McGinley will most likely stick as closely to his starting defence as possible. They will only improve with games together and when they’re struggling, taking men out tomorrow doesn’t appear to be the answer.
While Conor Stewart’s ability on the ball has caught the eye, Antrim’s platform has been laid by Niall McKeever. He is Michael Byrne’s target on the majority of kickouts, and plucked ball all day against an experienced Sligo pair last week.
There might be more wiggle-room for changing things up in attack. Paddy McBride, Tomás McCann and Paddy Cunningham all need minutes into the legs. They might not all start but a half each would be the least they might expect.
Leitrim are there to be beaten. All the air that Terry Hyland’s first year in charge put into their balloon has long disappeared. They might have beaten Sligo and weren’t helped by Aidan Flynn’s red card right on half-time, at which stage Leitrim led by 0-12 to 0-11 having played with the wind.
But Antrim only think they have defensive problems. Sligo could easily have had four goals against them.
When they went more defensive on a bog of a home pitch against Louth last week, they were disorganised beyond belief. Louth could have had six goals but got none, thanks to poor finishing, decent goalkeeping and a small bit of bad luck.
They’re being cut open right down the middle and tomorrow might be a day for Marc Jordan in particular. He’s been excellent from wing-back so far and if he’s coming on to the ball late, Leitrim have a problem they don’t seem to be able to deal with.
Donal Wrynn will give Niall McKeever a challenge in the air and on a drier day and a better surface than last week, the westerners will improve. The soft pitch in Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada didn’t suit a team that appears to be lacking for pace.
Antrim would prefer the retention of their feelgood factor above giving a load of fringe men a run tomorrow.
Expect a settled side and another Saffron victory.
