It was never going to be staged at Páirc Esler as far as the Antrim footballers were concerned and, this afternoon, they’ve earned the right to take on All-Ireland champions Armagh at Corrigan Park.
A defiant and principled stance against the Ulster GAA’s decision to take the fixture to Newry might have galvanised the Saffrons and they’ll be hoping it inspires them to deliver the goods on the pitch.
They’ll need every advantage they can. On the face of it, the odds are stacked against Andy McEntee’s side, who were relegated to Division Four last month.
While not always at their best in Division One, Kieran McGeeney’s side ensured their safety in the top flight with a comprehensive round seven win over Derry.
The Orchard County have also scored recent Championship wins over Antrim. In 2023, they had nine points to spare and 13 points was the margin back in 2021 when the Saffrons were managed by Enda McGinley.
An Antrim win today would rank among the greatest upsets in the history of Championship football and might trump their famous 2009 victory over Donegal in Ballybofey.
We’ll have all the latest build up and team news ahead of throw-in at 12.30pm.
KEY EVENT
Full-time: Antrim 1-23 Armagh 1-34
Cian McConville scores his second point in the final minute of the game and that is the final score of the game as Armagh progress to the Ulster SFC semi-final. They face the winners of tomorrow's clash between Tyrone and Cavan.
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 1-23 Armagh 1-33
Michael Byrne fists the ball over the bar as Antrim cut the gap to 10
KEY EVENT
Goal! Antrim 1-22 Armagh 1-33
Connaire Mackin thought he'd made a goal-line clearance but Ryan McQuillan's shot was over the line!
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-22 Armagh 1-33
Cian McConville adds his name to the scoresheet
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-22 Armagh 1-32
Ethan Rafferty gets forward to kick a point from play
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-22 Armagh 1-31
Goal-scorer Tomas McCormack adds a point to his tally with 64 minutes played
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-22 Armagh 1-30
Callum O'Neill moves to 0-4 for the day as Armagh move 11 clear with seven minutes remaining
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-22 Armagh 1-29
Jemar Hall then sets up Greg McCabe for a fisted point from play
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-22 Armagh 1-28
Jemar Hall gets away from his man and curls over a fine point for Armagh
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-22 Armagh 1-27
Armagh midfielder Callum O'Neill lands his third point from play
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-22 Armagh 1-26
Antrim remain in touch as Ronan Boyle lands a superb point from play
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-21 Armagh 1-26
Barry McCambridge taps over a well-worked score for Armagh
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-21 Armagh 1-25
Eunan Quinn lands a fine point from 40 metres for Antrim
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-20 Armagh 1-25
Ross McQuillan lands another classy point from play as Armagh move eight clear with 55 minutes played
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-20 Armagh 1-24
Paddy McBride converts a free after an Armagh player plays the ball of the ground
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-19 Armagh 1-24
Oisin O'Neill converts another two-point free for Armagh - his third of the game
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-19 Armagh 1-22
Paddy McBride fists the ball over the bar - he ties Grugan on 0-8 for the game
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-18 Armagh 1-22
Ryan McQuillan lands a stuning two-pointer - that's Antrim sixth two-pointer of the game
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-16 Armagh 1-22
Make that 0-8 for Rory Grugan as he lands another classy effort from play as Armagh move nine clear
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-16 Armagh 1-21
Rory Grugan lands his first from play, that's 0-7 for the Ballymacnab ace
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-16 Armagh 1-20
Andrew Murnin is fouled after claiming a mark and the ball is advanced 50-metres. Oisin O'Neill goes for the two-pointer and puts it over the bar
KEY EVENT
Goal! Antrim 0-16 Armagh 1-18
Armagh missed two goal chances in the first half, but that one was unstoppable! Tomas McCormack fires into the roof of the net!
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-16 Armagh 0-18
Aidan Forker is in as a blood sub for Oisin O'Neill and he kicks a find score after being set up by Stefan Campbell
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-16 Armagh 0-17
Armagh reply straight away as Ross McQuillan fists the ball over the bar
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-16 Armagh 0-16
Ryan McQuillan lands his third point of the game as Antrim draw level
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-15 Armagh 0-16
Callum O'Neill fists the ball over the bar as Armagh regain the lead after 40 minutes
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-15 Armagh 0-15
Oisin O'Neill converts a two-point free after James McAuley tackled a player claiming a mark
Paddy Tierney
Antrim 0-15 Armagh 0-13
Paddy McBride kicks another cracking point from play as Antrim move two ahead on the restart
KEY EVENT
We are back under way at Corrigan Park!
The second half gets under way!
KEY EVENT
Half-time: Antrim 0-14 Armagh 0-13
Darragh McMullan fists the ball over the bar after the hooter, but the All-Ireland champions are a point down at the break here at Corrigan Park
