Home front opens on Sunday

The National League is upon us and Antrim footballers begin life in Division 3 this coming Sunday at Casement Park at 2pm. It is a tough start, remember that Sligo came out of Division 4 last year, beat us in the divisional final and enjoyed a strong qualifier outing against Kerry before losing narrowly in the end. Sounds familiar doesn't it?

Sligo's one league defeat in Div 4 last year was in Casement Park, when the Saffrons beat them comfortably by 5 points. With only three home games this season and four on the road, a good start is essential if Antrim are genuinely to push for promotion again.

The Antrim panel is short the St Gall's contingent and that is a drawback, but the McKenna cup panel will be boosted by the return of university / college players Thomas McCann, Justin Crozier and Deaglain O'Hagan. McCann featured prominently for UUJ in their one point win over QUB yesterday and looks to be in good form.

If we manage to avoid the type of slow start we had in all three McKenna Cup games, the Saffrons can push on and win this one.

In reality the season starts here, see you all on Sunday.