Pathway to Sam Maguire

Pathway to Sam Maguire

10 April 2024

DOWN senior footballers begin their quest for Ulster glory this Saturday on home soil against rivals Antrim. 

The Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final tie is set to begin at 6pm and is highly anticipated by eager supporters of the red and black outfit.

Alongside the allure of a provincial title, the Mournemen have the added incentive of fashioning a pathway back into Sam Maguire football should they reach the final.

But, if they don’t make the last two, Down will once again be competing in the Tailteann Cup, where they will no doubt be touted as strong contenders.

Having nursed the hangover of losing the Division 3 title decider against Westmeath a fortnight ago at Croke Park, Down boss Conor Laverty has now turned his attention to this weekend’s clash with the Saffrons.

The Mourne County has the benefit of a roaring Páirc Esler crowd in support, but Laverty knows Antrim must not be overlooked.

“We know the challenge that Antrim are going to pose to us and we have to be prepared for that,” he said.

“The Ulster championship is a tough competition. We have home advantage but we are taking nothing for granted.”

Down are tipped as overwhelming favourites with bookmakers for this Saturday’s encounter, with a win priced at 1/8 and a draw being 14/1. Antrim are 11/2 to pull off a victory in Newry.

Beyond that, Down are currently 11/1 to win the Ulster competition – a fair reflection considering there is the likes of Mickey Harte’s Derry to contend with.

Aside from home advantage, the Mournemen are viewed to grab the win thanks to having already beaten Antrim in their Division 3 campaign earlier this year at Corrigan Park by a nine-point margin.

If Down do get the job done, as expected, they will likely face Armagh in the semi-final stage, which, coincidently, would replicate last year’s last four Ulster match up.

Meanwhile, Antrim boss Andy McEntee endured a tough league campaign which was plagued by injuries, and although he remains realistic, he still believes his team can upset the applecart. 

“We are not looking beyond this match with Down,” he said.

“If things had not gone our way in our last game in the league against Wicklow it might have been difficult to get players to focus on this championship tie.” 

He added: “Despite our mounting injury list, the attitude of the players has always been good.”

Despite falling short in the Division 3 final, there was still a number of positives for Down to carry through to this weekend’s clash.

That loss to Westmeath was the Mourne side’s only one of the league campaign, having won every other game bar a draw to their fellow finalists in Mullingar.

Down have been firing from all cylinders with goals coming thick and fast with Ceilum Doherty, Daniel Guinness, Liam Kerr and Odhrán Murdock all on song.

Pat Havern has proven deadly from frees and he will be looking to put his uncharacteristic wides from Croke Park behind him.

In nets, John O’Hare has certainly stepped up for his county, pulling off a number of fine stops and firmly taking the reins from Niall Kane, who opted not to be involved with the panel.

On the other side, Antrim will look to the likes of Michael Byrne and Dominic McEnhill to put in big performances.