Kildare trip offers Saffrons a slight chance

ANTRIM can still beat the drop to Division Four but the odds are stacked against Andy McEntee’s side.

After losing a crunch bottom of the table clash at home to Sligo, Antrim must beat Kildare in Newbridge. It’s that simple.

Their problem is that staying clear of the league’s bottom rung is not in their own control.

They also need Leitrim to turn the tables on neighbours Sligo in Markievicz Park. And after Steven Poacher’s side pulled the pin on their game with Fermanagh, it’s hard to make a case.

For Antrim, they can’t even think down that path at all. They have to get both points from their trip to Kildare and it will be made all the harder with the Lily Whites losing last weekend. You’d imagine there will be a response.

Looking back to last weekend, Antrim will have regrets of leaving Pat Spillane unmarked to set up Sligo’s only goal of the game.

Had they hung tough until half-time, it could’ve been a different story. That’s the problem with Antrim and their inconsistency; it doesn’t radiate the confidence they need.

There is also the backdrop of their Ulster Championship game with Armagh. As it stands, it’s fixed for Páirc Esler. Antrim insist it’s in Corrigan Park.

Should Antrim concede the game, they face expulsion from the Tailteann Cup. That could leave Sunday as their final game of the season.

Antrim have pulled together some impressive results in recent seasons but they’ve been too sporadic.

Sligo will be fancied to take care of the business elsewhere this weekend but Andy McEntee must light a fire under his charges.

If they are to drop to Division Four, he’ll hope they go with a bang rather than a whimper.

Check you this week’s Gaelic Lives preview show with former Monaghan star Paul Finlay looking ahead to the weekend of action. Brought to you in association with the Everglades Hotel