Antrim come out fighting after Ulster GAA switch venue

Antrim's footballers have not backed down on their stance that the Ulster Senior Football Championship tie against Armagh will be played at Corrigan Park despite the decision by Ulster GAA to move the game to Down.

The limited capacity at Corrigan Park created a headache for the provincial body as the Orchard County have thousands of season tickets holders who would be entitled to attend the game.

Ulster GAA this evening opted to switch the game to Páirc Esler in Newry.

Antrim had stated they would not take part in the fixture if it was moved away from their home ground, and it had appeared their threats were being listened to.

However, a meeting of the Ulster Competitions Control Committee this afternoon saw the decision taken to move the game to Down, which is scheduled for Saturday 12 April at 7pm.

Ulster GAA stated: "In reaching this decision, the committee sympathised with Antrim GAA's situation, which reiterates the need for Casement Park to be redeveloped as a matter of urgency.

"The complete 2025 Ulster Senior Football Championship programme, including throw-in times and television schedules, will be finalised in the near future."

Antrim GAA responded to the announcement from Ulster GAA, insisting that Corrigan Park is an "appropriate venue" for the clash and that it meets the necessary health and safety standards.

The statement from the county board read: "Antrim GAA and our representatives have engaged extensively with Ulster GAA officials and all other stakeholders in recent weeks regarding the venue for the upcoming 2025 Ulster Senior Football Championship fixture versus Armagh.

"With Antrim having been drawn first and therefore awarded home advantage, Corrigan Park was duly nominated as the home venue.

"This was on the basis that it meets the statutory Health and Safety standards.

"Antrim GAA's position on this matter has not changed and our view remains that Corrigan Park is the appropriate venue for the Championship opener against Armagh."

The Gaelic Players Association [GPA] also issued a notice on behalf of the Antrim players in response to the decision.

In a statement credited to the squad, they said: "We have worked too hard to earn this game at Corrigan Park and that is where we will be.

"We will not concede our home advantage as it is our right as players and as a county. Corrigan Park is our home and we expect to play there as originally scheduled."

Last month the county were adamant they would not buckle.

Speaking to BBC Northern Ireland last month, Antrim footballer Paddy McBride said: "As everyone knows, we're drawn out at home to play an Ulster Championship game and we're being told as usual that we're going somewhere else.

"The frustration is we want to play a home match and we're saying if it's not there, we'll probably not play it.

"We want to play on our own pitch when we have a home game. It sounds so simple - you have a home match you play at home."

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