Antrim chairman Ciaran McCavana hoping to end term with Tailteann Cup

Ciaran McCavana has overseen a number of successes in his time with Antrim

John Campbell

Antrim GAA board chairman Ciaran McCavana is hoping that more success will be attained by the county before he reaches the end of his five-year term in office.

McCavana has overseen a number of off-field innovations within the county as well as welcoming a ration of success in the different GAA codes with the hurlers having retained their status in the Leinster Championship, the ladies’ football team having won the All-Ireland Championship and the camogie team have triumphed at provincial level..

But right now the busy McCavana is particularly keen to see the Antrim football team make an impact in the Tailteann Cup.

The Saffrons went into Sunday’s game against Fermanagh having beaten Leitrim and Wexford and now they will have home advantage for their Quarter-Final tie on the weekend after next.

Their 3-13 to 1-12 win over Fermanagh has created considerable interest within the county – indeed, the identity of Antrim’s opponents is awaited with considerable interest.

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Team manager Andy McEntee is adamant that the staging of the game at Corrigan Park will prove a bonus for his rejuvenated side who are particularly keen to extend their unbeaten run.

“It’s terrific to be having home advantage for this particular match. I would hope that the fans will come out in big numbers to give the lads encouragement,” says McEntee.

“The Tailteann Cup is certainly proving a very interesting competition from an Ulster perspective and we hope do ourselves proud as we move along.”

And chairman McCavana is among those who will be giving the team his full-throated backing.

Antrim were not expected to hurdle Fermanagh last weekend and when Kieran Donnelly’s side led by 0-4 to 0-1 after just 15 minutes play, things looked ominous for the Saffrons.

But by half-time they had translated this into a 0-6 to 0-5 lead before roaring to a stunning victory.

“It was a very heartening performance and hopefully there is more to come from the players. I think they can count on a lot of support,” says McCavana.

The winners to emerge from Saturday’s four ‘preliminary’ Quarter-Finals — Offaly v Wexford, Carlow v New York, Down v Longford and Fermanagh v Laois — will be drawn against Limerick, Meath, Cavan and Antrim in the Quarter-Finals proper.