As the Allianz Football Leagues reach the midway point this weekend, Antrim are seeking to build on their maiden win when they host Fermanagh at Corrigan Park on Saturday.
After back-to-back losses to Offaly and Down to start their Division Three campaign, the Saffrons got off the mark with an impressive 1-19 to 0-14 win over Tipperary at Semple Stadium last Saturday evening.
Conor Stewart scored what proved to be the game’s only goal as Andy McEntee’s men gave their chance of surviving the drop to Division Four a much-needed shot in the arm.
Read more: Down manager welcomes new 48-week bans for sectarian and racist abuse in GAA
There’s still work to be done as the fixtures don’t get any easier for Antrim and, according to leading attacker Ruairi McCann, the Saffrons are determined to build on their opening victory.
“In the changing room after the Down game, everyone was just gutted. We know ourselves we played well, but being five points up with five minutes to go, we should have won the game,” said McCann.
“We responded well at the weekend against Tipperary - we knew we had to win that game.
"It was definitely a better feeling coming off that pitch on Saturday. Training on Tuesday night, compared to training after the Down game, was very different. Everyone was feeling much better and training was more positive.
“It was a good win, but we’ve had a couple of good performances and only two points. We need to back it up now and we’ve a tough task on Saturday, but we are looking forward to the challenge.”
Antrim defeated Fermanagh by nine points when the sides met in the opening fixture of last year’s League campaign in Brewster Park.
However, Kieran Donnelly’s side are coming off the back of a smash-and-grab victory over Down with Sean Quigley plundering a remarkable late goal to give the Erne County a stunning 2-14 to 3-19 win in Ederney on Sunday.
“As we all saw, they had a good win over Down on Sunday,” said McCann.
“They are a very strong side and we’re looking forward to playing them. No doubt it will all be a tight game but, hopefully, we’ll come out on the right side.”
After playing a starring role for Aghagallon in their march to a second successive Antrim SFC final appearances last Autumn, McCann returned to the Antrim fold ahead of the 2023 season.
He has scored 2-4 in their three games to date including a brace in their round two defeat to Down. Competition for places is fierce as everyone tries to impress the new manager and there’s currently two Ruairi McCanns vying for a starting berth.
Creggan’s Ruairi McCann was brought into the Antrim panel under Enda McGinley’s reign, but his Aghagallon counterpart insists the gaffer hasn’t given them any nicknames to distinguish one from the other.
“Nah, not yet - I usually just get ‘big McCann’ or ‘big Ruairi’ - that’s the difference us. For some reason, he puts ‘big’ in front of my name and that’s just it!”
He added: “Andy (McEntee) has been brilliant. It is a new management set-up with a few new players and it is a fresh start for everyone.
“It is still early days, we’re only three games into the League. I think everyone is enjoying it and there's great morale in the squad.
“We just need to build on that. The best way to do that is to win games and hopefully we can get a few more wins under our belt.”
READ NEXT:
- Five talking points from a hectic weekend of GAA action
- GAA star at centre of alleged cancer scam 'hasn't worked in years' as friends reveal lavish lifestyle
- Rory Gallagher says Derry "outclassed" Meath as Ulster champions continue fine form
Donegal captain Paddy McBrearty faces race to be fit for Ulster Championship clash with Down
- Former Armagh captain Jarlath Burns elected as 41st GAA president
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
