Andy McEntee admires Antrim players for stance on Corrigan Park game

After Antrim's Ulster SFC quarter-final against Armagh was initially set for Páirc Esler, Ulster GAA read the room and agreed it could be played at Belfast's Corrigan Park. 

Antrim are looking forward to playing All-Ireland champions Armagh in their own backyard. "I don't think any of our players have had that opportunity before," said manager Andy McEntee. Pic: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile

Antrim manager Andy McEntee has complimented the Ulster Council for reading the room and arranging the county’s Ulster SFC quarter-final against Armagh for Corrigan Park.

The province’s competitions control committee met on Monday where it was agreed in principle that the game will take place at the Belfast venue after they had previously fixed it for Newry’s Páirc Esler.

That followed concerns the 4,000-capacity Corrigan Park would not be capable of meeting the demand for the game between the hosts and the defending All-Ireland SFC champions.

However, Ulster GAA completed a U-turn in the face of an objection from Antrim to home advantage being taken away from them and the players’ refusal to fulfil the game anywhere but Corrigan Park.

Speaking at the Ulster SFC launch in Armagh on Monday night, former Meath manager McEntee expressed satisfaction the matter had been resolved in the favour of Antrim. “Well look, it's important for everybody. I mean, it's important, you know, the players have made a stance. They've made it very clear, I think they've done the right thing.

“The county board have backed them, which was important too and I'm glad for both of them. And Ulster Council in all fairness to them have seen and probably gauged the room and they've come up with what I think is the right decision.” 

McEntee admitted the uncertainty around the fixture was a distraction.

“Yeah, probably too much time to tell you the truth. You get to a stage where you're saying, look, nothing has changed, we just move on.

“It is, it's never helpful, but it is what it is. We still had games to prepare for so you just put your head down and try and ignore the noise outside.” 

In the face of being thrown out of the Tailteann Cup, McEntee had huge respect for the resolve of the players to face Armagh on their own patch. 

“I absolutely admire what they, you know, I agree with them.

“It's a little bit easier to admire them when you agree with them. But I agreed with the stance that they took and once you make that stance, you've got to stick with it, regardless of the consequences.

“And there were potential serious consequences, I mean, not alone in the Ulster Championship, but from what I'm led to believe, maybe Tailteann Cup as well. So, that would have been a big setback for this group. But they were prepared to take that on the chin because they felt they had right on their side. I do think they had right on their side.” 

The stance taken by Kildare for home advantage in 2018 was inspirational and McEntee hopes the same for Antrim. “I mean, motivation, if you're not motivated to play the All-Ireland champions in your own backyard, well, then there's something wrong. So, there's no need for any extra motivation.

“If anything, it might give Armagh a bit of extra motivation. But, no, I mean, we have all the motivation we need and it's an opportunity and it's an honour to be playing the All-Ireland champions, as I say, in your own backyard, and it's something that the vast majority, I don't think any of our players have had that opportunity before.” 

Despite some bad breaks contributing to their relegation from Division 3 on top of the Corrigan Park matter, McEntee maintains morale in the Antrim group is strong. 

“They really have been great. There were some of the games that were very hard to take for a variety of reasons. In that regard, and I suppose that's one of the reasons I'm so happy for them, to get the game in Corrigan.”