What a difference a point makes

Last weekend both Antrim senior teams lost crucial league games by a solitary point. From what I hear of the Casement clash with Clare, the hurlers improved on their performance against Laois the previous week by 100% and were unlucky not to at least draw the game. Against Offaly in Tullamore the footballers were undone through injury to key personnel and an all round below par performance. How damaging were the defeats? As it happens the hurlers were already unlikely to be at the business end of the promotion hunt from Division 2 of the national hurling league. Performances are certainly more important than results for Dinny's men and this performance was encouraging. They should pick up two points on the road this weekend against Westmeath.

The footballers already have 8 points to their name and that cushion means that despite defeat to the faithful county, the Saffrons remain on top of Division 3 and in charge of their own destiny when it comes to promotion.

How they grasp that nettle with two games to go will in many ways define this team's record in the national league. Do they re group, keep focus and claim a second successive promotion? Or might a mental fragility come into play, as it did in 2008 when failure to glean a measly point against Waterford or Tipperary kept us rooted in the basement of the league and set the development programme back a season?

There is too much evidence in support of the former view. The clinical way in which we beat Fermanagh and Cavan by double scores, the ferocious determination to hold onto a 1 point win against Sligo and a narrow victory over Roscommon, allied to the 'bounce' the county experienced through St Gall's all Ireland win, all points to a win over Louth this coming Saturday. Indeed the return of up to half a dozen St Gall's men to the panel this week opens options for the management team in practically every sector of the field.

There is a lot of talk about this weekend's match, the most important league game in memory. Expect a 'stand full' announcement long before throw in and remember that the Milltown men will be presented to the supporters prior to the throw in. If Antrim beat the wee county in the last home game before Tyrone come to town, it will make for a great night all round.

Club Aontroma will be selling ballots for £2 each (3 for £5.00), the prize on offer: £500. Proceeds go to support the development of games in our county. The Club Aontroma twitter feed will provide live match updates on Saturday.