Antrim threaten to boycott Ulster SFC quarter-final if tie is moved from Corrigan Park

CORRIGAN OR NOWHERE: "We want to play on our own pitch when we have a home game," said Antrim's Paddy McBride. Pic: Stephen Marken/Sportsfile

Antrim say they will not play their Ulster SFC quarter-final against Armagh if the game is moved to a venue other than Corrigan Park.

When the draw was made in October, Antrim were first out of the hat for the tie, which should give them home advantage. However, Corrigan Park's 3,700 capacity may not even hold Armagh's number of season ticket holders, leading to suggestions the game would be moved to another ground. 

"As everyone knows, we're drawn out at home to play an Ulster Championship game and we're being told as usual that we're going somewhere else," Antrim's Paddy McBride told BBC Northern Ireland.

"The frustration is we want to play a home match and we're saying if it's not there, we'll probably not play it.

"We want to play on our own pitch when we have a home game. It sounds so simple - you have a home match you play at home.

"We spoke as players already and we just said that we sacrifice too much to just lie down.

"If it's not going to be where it's meant then we'll not play it."

Antrim have played games at Corrigan Park since Casement Park went into dereliction in 2013. It last hosted an Ulster SFC tie in 2022 when Cavan defeated Antrim. The quarter-final against Armagh is due to be played on April 12.

"As far as we are concerned there is no problem at all," said Antrim manager Andy McEntee.

"Antrim were drawn out of the hat first, which means we have home venue. Somebody is suggesting that we can't have home venue. As far as we are concerned, we want the game going ahead in Corrigan.

"It's up to us to look after Antrim GAA. As far as we are concerned, we came out of the hat first, end of story."