'Because it's Antrim, they're perceived as a minnow...'they'll roll over''

As Corrigan Park fight is taken to Croke Park, Eamon McGee says Ulster GAA have made a mess of the situation

HOME SWEET HOME: A general view before the Allianz Hurling League Division 1B match between Antrim and Laois at Corrigan Park in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Antrim have officially contested the Ulster Council’s decision to stage their provincial SFC quarter-final against Armagh in Páirc Esler next month.

Andy McEntee’s side were due home advantage in Corrigan Park having been drawn out of the hat first last October. However, Ulster GAA’s competition control committee last Thursday confirmed the April 12 evening game for Newry.

The province have moved the game away from the Belfast venue as they don’t deem it an appropriate venue but in a statement last week Antrim GAA have insisted the grounds meet statutory health and safety standards.

Catering for less than 4,000 people, ticket demand for the All-Ireland champions Armagh’s first championship outing were it played in Corrigan Park would far outstrip supply. The Orchard County are believed to have over 3,000 season ticket holders.

However, part of Antrim’s case is believed to highlight the several matches excluding the perennially sold-out All-Ireland senior where capacity can meet interest.

Last year’s Ulster quarter-final in Celtic Park between neighbours Derry and Donegal was a 14,000-plus sell-out. Demand for the counties’ forthcoming April 6 provincial preliminary round meeting in Ballybofey’s MacCumhaill Park is also expected to exceed capacity.

It is understood the county lodged the objection to Ulster GAA’s decision to Croke Park this past weekend and awaiting word on when a hearing will take place. Antrim footballers have maintained they will not play the game anywhere other than Corrigan Park.

Former Donegal defender Eamon McGee has backed Antrim and believes the game might not take place. Believing that the matter reflects poorly on Ulster GAA, he said: “The home draw is a home draw, and I think it's a dropped ball because we all know that the game's not going to happen now.

“This could have been a PR win for them [Ulster GAA] – ‘Antrim, get your house in order, but here, we'll give it to you this year,’ and they're probably looking at the attendance, financial aspects of it.

“If this was Tyrone, or in Armagh, or Donegal, I think the gun would have been put to their head, but the big teams would have stared them down and Ulster GAA would have pulled back. I think because it's Antrim, and because they're being perceived as a minnow, then ‘we can do this, and they'll roll over.’” 

The Ulster Council's coffers were hit by the decision to axe the McKenna Cup this year after the GPA led a successful campaign to suspend the pre-season competitions. The official players body last week urged Ulster GAA to revisit their decision to push the fixture to Newry.