Former Antrim captain hopes ‘common sense’ will prevail around Ulster SFC venue

By Michael McMullan

PADDY Cunningham has said the decision not to grant Antrim their home venue for their Ulster SFC clash with Cavan was ‘very disappointing’ and hopes that ‘common sense’ will prevail.
Antrim were drawn to play at home for the first time since their 2013 defeat at the hands of Monaghan at Casement Park, a game Cunningham played in.
The plan was to host the game at the refurbished Corrigan Park that can hold 3,700 spectators.
At a meeting last week, Cavan raised concerns over the capacity and sought an alternative venue. Their motion passed with only Antrim, Derry and Tyrone voting against it.
As it stands, Antrim will have to travel to an alternative, neutral, venue given the ongoing closure of Casement Park.“I suppose the first thing is that is very disappointing that it has even got to this point, that there is even a discussion in relation to it,” Paddy Cunningham told Gaelic Life.
“Obviously now I am speaking from a spectator’s point of view, having played for Antrim for many years.”
“When you look at other counties, obviously it is pot luck if it is a home or away draw.
“From a supporter’s point of view I was very much looking forward to seeing Antrim playing at a home venue is Corrigan Park.”
Cunningham, who retired at end of last season, was at Saturday’s win over Longford at the Whiterock Road venue.
“Albeit it is not the same size as Breffni or what Casement Park would be, but it is a very suitable venue and obviously home advantage, for any team, is of the upmost importance,” Cunningham added.
“Hopefully common sense will prevail over the next couple of weeks and Ulster Council do the right thing by everybody and honour the draw that was carried out in the right circumstances and Antrim were lucky enough to gain home advantage.”

LAST OUTING…Paddy Cunningham in action for Antrim against Monaghan in 2013, their last home game in the Ulster SFC.

Cunningham points to the money invested in replacing Corrigan Park’s stand to give the county a venue ‘until such times’ as there is a return to Casement Park.
He said the draw was done ‘fair and square’ with Antrim first out of the hat, giving them a first home game in almost a decade.
“I think it would be very unfair for any county to lose their home advantage,” he said. “The momentum now is going well with the footballers, they are getting good results in Division Three and by the time the Ulster Championship comes around they could be in Division Two.
“There is a bit of a buzz with football in the county at the moment, even for the young people to go and see their county team on their doorstep in Belfast would be fantastic. To be robbed of that would be a terrible situation.”
Cunningham commented on the response from ‘not just Antrim Gaels’ across various media platforms since Cavan’s motion was passes has ‘spoken volumes’.
There were comparisons made to the ‘Newbridge or Nowhere’ campaign when Kildare lost home advantage for their All-Ireland clash with Mayo, which was eventually played at their home venue.
“Hopefully the Ulster Council step up and listen to what the response has been,” he said.
Antrim have indicated their intent to host the game in Corrigan Park and are working ‘in-house’ on the issue, which is pressing, given the game is fixed for Saturday, Aril 23.
The Ulster Council are meeting this week, which will offer another opportunity for their case to be raised.
“I saw it on Twitter and I was going to react, but I said I would let it sit and see what way it panned out,” said Cunningham of how he came across the news of the u-turn away from Antrim having a home venue.
“I would have to commend the county boards of Derry and Tyrone who voted with Antrim,” he added.
“If any county voted against a home venue, how would they feel if the shoe was on the other foot and Antrim were to have a say on where they played their home games.
“It’s not what the GAA is about and their ethos is about. I am confident that common sense will prevail.”

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