The visit of All-Ireland champions Armagh for a championship opener was always a huge challenge for Antrim. According to former manager Enda McGinley, matters off the pitch have increased the size of the task facing the Saffrons.
After much debate and at one stage the threat of a forfeited fixture, the Ulster quarter-final was finally given the green light for Corrigan Park.
The long-touted decision by Ulster GAA to fix the game for Páirc Esler, prompted by the limited capacity in Corrigan Park and the desire to cater for the large volume of Armagh season ticket holders, was met with strong resistance from Antrim.
That, and general public sympathy towards their plight, resulted in a U-turn and we are back to square one, a David versus Goliath clash; the All-Ireland champions travelling to take on a side that will operate in Division 4 next year.
Antrim haven't won their first game Ulster since beating Fermanagh in 2014 and you have to go back to 1964 for their last championship success over the Orchard County.
Speaking on the RTÉ GAA podcast, who managed Antrim for two seasons before stepping away in 2022, says the furore around the venue may have contributed to their relegation to the bottom tier – "they are a solid Division 3 team when they are going well," and has heaped the pressure on the home side ahead of what was already a daunting task.
"It’s exceptionally difficult for Antrim," he said. "The annoyance of the Corrigan Park thing is that it should never have been an issue.
"The fact that the Antrim players had to make such a big song and dance about it puts the pressure back on their shoulders.
"Antrim should be coming in here with a free hit, with no expectations and a lovely freedom to go out and give it their absolute best, whereas now there is that sense from critics, "well ye cried enough about getting it into this ground, let’s see what ye can do about it."
"Suddenly the pressure is on them to produce a performance, which is a really unfair situation when it should never have been an issue at all."
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