By Michael McMullan

IT’S out of the frying pan and into the fire for Andy McEntee’s Antrim side this weekend as they welcome high-flying Cavan to Corrigan Park.

A draw would be enough to see Mickey Graham’s side clinch promotion. Indeed, it would only take a highly unlikely overturn in the score difference bracket over their final two games to stop the Breffni blues from making the climb.

Antrim still have survival in their own hands despite only having one win to their name, but they’ve it all to do. Without wins over Cavan and Longford in their remaining two games, they will be looking over their shoulder at lowly Longford and Tipperary.

It could’ve been so different after four near misses in as many games, but it was their concessions of goals that came back to bite in their 4-27 to 0-8 mauling at the hands of Westmeath in their last outing in Mullingar.

Last weekend allowed players to get back to their clubs for league action and they’ll hope the freshness can give them a chance to attack their crucial run in.

It’s the first league meeting of the counties since 2013 when goals from Martin Dunne and Mark McKeever could’ve prevented a 1-14 to 2-9 home win at Casement Park.

Antrim have won the last three league meetings of the sides, but more recently it has been Cavan who have held the upper hand with a comfortable championship clash last season.

The frustrating thing about the season so far was how little Antrim got in return for being in the mix of all four of their opening games.

But sport doesn’t do sentiment and Antrim need to start making Corrigan Park a fortress, starting with Saturday.

The formbook isn’t on their side against the form team in the division, but it’s an unforgiving league. It’s time to roll up the sleeves and battle with all they’ve got.