NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
DIVISION THREE

Louth v Antrim

Sunday, Corrigan Park, 2pm

By Michael McMullan

A LEAGUE table tells no lies. Antrim aren’t a million miles away from Division Two and a stepping stone away from the Tailteann Cup, but that progress is still out of their own hands.

Enda McGinley’s side welcome Westmeath to Corrigan Park on Sunday, one of four home games in the campaign.

If promotion eludes them, they’ll rue conceding two goals in the early stages of a defeat at home to a Limerick team now in pole position to join leaders Louth in Division Two next season.

That’s the regret they’ll carry, as they rely on Ulster rivals Fermanagh to get a result in Limerick to keep the promotion door ajar enough to allow Antrim to step through if they can get their own house in order this weekend.

After losing to Laois, Mickey Harte’s Louth drew with Longford before beating the four teams in the promotion mix.

A fisted goal from Dermot McAleese wasn’t enough to earn the Saffrons anything from their top of the table clash in Ardee on Sunday.

Ryan Murray (0-20) is the top scorer in the Antrim team that has a balance in attack thanks to his brother Conor, Odhrán Eastwood, Tomás and Ruairi McCann.

At midfield, it will be interesting to see if there is a return for Kevin Small after not starting the win over Longford, with another Creggan man, Marty Johnston, slotting in.

Westmeath are built around John Heslin at full-forward, who notched 1-10 in their defeat to Louth who have Sam Mulroy to thank for victory, with a 0-11 tally.

Sam McCartan, Luke Loughlin and David Lynch have registered goals for Westmeath this season.

Antrim will need big performances from experienced duo Tomás and Michael McCann, while their settled defence has been a feature of McGinley’s selection. Eoghan McCabe, Ricky Johnston and Peter Healy have started all eight games this season.

If they use the continuity and can lift the crowd, victory will be within their grasp. Then it will be time to tune in to check on Limerick to suss out the final league placing.