O’Neill: Longford are always a tough proposition

National Football League Division Three
Antrim v Longford
Saturday, Corrigan Park, 2pm

By Niall Gartland

ANTRIM are in a rich vein of form, but they know theyre unlikely to get anything easy against relegation-threatened Longford on Saturday at Corrigan Park.

Barring a slip-up against Limerick (who are in pole position at the top of Division Three), the Saffron side are unbeaten after four matches, and one of the reasons for that is their impressive defensive record.

They have been solid as a rock at the back with the best defensive record in the division, conceding an average of exactly 11 points a game to date.

Commenting on his side’s impressive defensive record, assistant manager Stephen O’Neill said Sean Kelly deserves credit for the work done on the training pitch.

“It’s the way it works out sometimes but Sean does a lot of good work on the team defensively and I suppose it’s a glowing recommendation of his work, that he’s done with the team.

“They’re very aware of their jobs defensively and that they have to put in that bit of work. Thankfully everyone’s bought into that, you need everyone doing a bit of tracking.”

Victory could propel the Saffrons to the top of the table with two rounds remaining, albeit the margins are incredibly fine with only three points separating pace-setters Limerick and seventh-placed Longford.

O’Neill said: “There’s still a lot to play for, we’ve had a couple of good results, but it’s a double-sided coin, you can end up in the relegation zone very, very quickly.

“We’re just taking it one game at a time. We’ve Longford coming up and it’ll be a really tough battle and they’ll be hoping to get the two points, that would pull them level with us. It’s a real championship game.”

Supporters have been pleased that Enda McGinley and the rest of the Antrim management team have been happy to temporarily release a number of players to their clubs with the leagues starting in the county last weekend.

O’Neill commented: “I think it’s trying to get the balance of getting boys football. We made it very clear that we all want to see them playing football.

“Unfortunately come match day we can only play 15 men at the start and five subs, it means that not everyone is going to get game-time.

“It’s good that the match practice and sharpness can be utilised with the club games.”

Longford have had a mixed season so far but they picked up an absolutely crucial win against Westmeath. on their last day out. O’Neill says the Leinster men will be confident heading up to Corrigan Park.

“They’re fighting for their lives and have some very good players. I remember playing them with Tyrone as well, they were a team that were very hard to beat. This is going to be a massive challenge for us and something we’ll have to be well up for.”