DERRY AND ANTRIM TO CLASH AGAIN

DESPITE Derry manager Eamon Coleman’s pitch incursion at the Ulster semi-final match against Tyrone in Clones last week, the GAA have said he will be allowed to coach his team in the round two all Ireland qualifier against Antrim on Saturday.

The team will be looking to bounce back after their defeat against Tyrone as they attempt to repeat their Ulster Semi Final Cup first round win over Antrim.

Derry, who are hot favourites for the game, have indicated that they intend not be complacent going into the match at Casement Park on Saturday. The team who have faced Antrim three times in as many months managed to beat the Glensmen in the Ulster Semi final after a replay.

Antrim, who arguably have played well to get to this stage, have lost some key players from last year who opted out of the panel in protest at the punishments handed out to their clubs by the Antrim county board, following a brawl in the county final.

But Antrim manager Brian white said that this would not prevent them from putting up a good game. He said: “We’ve got to go forward without the protesting players because we have to deal with what we have now. No wishful thinking is going to bring back anyone who is not available for Antrim selection.”

Meanwhile Derry manager Eamon Coleman has come under criticism in his choice of line up. Dermot Heaney has been dropped due to injury; Dermot Duggan who has failed to shine in Derry’s last two matches has also been dropped. As was feared, defender Niall McCusker is out of the game with a hamstring injury. The Derry defence has also been reorganised with Coleman’s son Gary reverting to left corner –back and Fergal Crossan moving out to right half-back. The announcement that Bellaghy captain Ciaran McNally is to join the senior Derry panel represents a coup for the team, although Coleman has stressed that he probably won’t be playing in the game against Antrim.

Kick off is at 7pm Saturday Casement Park, West Belfast. (AMcE)