DERMOT McALEESE doubled down on Antrim’s insistence that their Ulster quarter-final against Armagh will be played at Corrigan Park.
On February 6, the Saffrons – who were drawn as the home team – threatened to boycott the tie if it did not take place at the Belfast venue.
However, Ulster GAA insisted that the ground doesn’t meet required health and safety standards, nor capacity guidelines.
There appears to be no end in sight for the saga, however, with Antrim captain McAleese repeating the call for the game to be played at Corrigan.
He was speaking to RTE following their Division 3 football league loss to Mickey Harte’s Offaly.
And he said: “As a playing group and a management group, we made our position clear a couple of weeks ago and we are standing by it.
“Our job is to focus on the football especially after a result like that there. That is what we will be doing this week.
“We have made it clear, that’s our home ground and that is where we will be playing the game.”
If Antrim do not play the game, they run the risk of being kicked out of the championship altogether.
But McAleese added: “We have heard speculation about that there. No confirmation from anyone.
“As I say, we have made our statement and that is what we are standing by.
“Corrigan is our home ground. Some great games there in the Championship in the past with Cavan.
“The hurlers have had some great games in Corrigan, Clare I can remember, so as far as we can see, that is where the game is going.”
With the threat of expulsion looming, however, Neil McManus warned Antrim that boycotting the game “wouldn’t be the smartest thing to do.”
And the former Saffron hurler believes the priority should be to “facilitate as many fans as possible”.
Speaking on Allianz League Sunday on February 9, he said: “I love Corrigan Park. I really enjoy playing there.
“Whenever we made it our home as a county ground, it really stood to us and our performances there have been really good.
“I can fully understand why the Antrim county board, the Antrim football management, the Antrim football players all want to play it there.
“But if it is going to cost you home venue for some games next year if we don’t abide by the rules, it wouldn’t be the smartest thing to do.”
Asked if he thought it was fair for Corrigan Park to be snubbed due to it not being big enough, McManus insisted the priority should be to get as many fans in as possible.
He added: “We want as many people as we can to be able to watch the games.
“It is only fair that both Armagh and Antrim fans get to watch that game but it is how do we accommodate them at a ground that can only fit 3,000 to 3,500 fans maybe?
“How would you pick how many fans get to go?
“And how many from Antrim and how many from Armagh?
“It would be a very tough situation for both counties to be in and I think whatever the outcome is it does have to be done to facilitate as may fans as possible.”
