Corrigan Park: Antrim ‘will not concede’ home advantage for SFC quarter-final tie against Armagh

Antrim GAA have said they “still expect” to stage their Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final against Armagh at home despite Ulster GAA switching the game to Pairc Esler.

After a meeting of the Ulster Competitions Contril Committee (CCC) on Thursday, Ulster GAA said they “sympathised with Antrim GAA’s situation” but that the Saffrons must move the last-eight tie from Corrigan Park to County Down in order to accommodate the anticipated crowd for the visit of the All-Ireland champions.

However Andy McEntee’s side, who were drawn to be at home for the game on12 April, have reiterated that it is their “right” to play the game in west Belfast.

“We have worked too hard to earn this game at Corrigan Park and that is where we will be,” the Antrim panel said in a statement released through the Gaelic Players Association (GPA).

“We will not concede our home advantage as it is our right as players and as a county. Corrigan Park is our home and we expect to play there as originally scheduled.”

At a previous CCC meeting last month, Corrigan Park was the only venue put forward for the match by Antrim GAA delegates and Saffrons panellist Paddy McBride previously told BBC Sport NI that if the game was not held there, the county would “probably not play it”.

The GPA “stands fully behind” the stance of the Antrim players and said the “integrity of the competition” depends upon the Saffrons maintaining home advantage.

“We acknowledge Corrigan Park will not accommodate all Antrim and Armagh supporters but the integrity of the competition and the fundamental principle of home advantage take precedence.

“Financial and logistical concerns should not be prioritised over sporting fairness. We urge Ulster GAA to immediately reconsider their decision.”

With no other suitable venue in County of Antrim, Ulster GAA said the situation reiterates the need to resolve the Casement Park redevelopment as “a matter of urgency.”