16 February 2013
Antrim v Offaly preview
After the disappointment of last week's postponment of their game against Carlow, Antrim will finally play their first competitive fixture in the Tesco Homegrown National Football League with a Divison 4 encounter against Offaly this Sunday 17th February at Casement Park.
Last weeks first league game against Carlow was conceded by the Leinster side, which gave Antrim their opening points in the league, though left them without a competitive game. Offaly approach Sunday's encounter at Casement Park sitting second in the table with two wins from two games; a comprehensive 41-point win over Derry in their first outing, followed by a 6-point win over Roscommon means the faithful county have a 100% record so far, and they will be out for a repeat of last years score line when the sides met.
On that occassion Brian Coyle's charges were defeated 6.09-4.05 in Clonbullouge, and the Offaly ladies will head to Belfast looking to do to claim the three points again on Sunday. Antrim will be out to try and stop the inform Leinster side as he hopes to gain promotion to Division 3 this year, though with players unavailable due to University Camogie championships and holidays it will mean Antrim will be without some experienced players.
Speaking ahead of the game manager Brian Coyle said
"It is our first outing in the league, while Offaly have two good wins behind them. We go into the game short of college Camogie players such as Mairiosa McGourty and Cathy Carey, while all-star nominee goal-keeper Ciara McCoy is on holidays and Bridget Scullion is missing from our defence".
Despite this Coyle believes that this gives youth players the chance to earn a place in the team "With experienced players missing this gives us the opportunity to see some youth players in action which can only be a good thing as their will be competition for places".
Antrim v Offaly is on Sunday 17th Feburary with a 2 PM throw in at CASEMENT PARK
Kevin Herron, Antrim ladies PRO
