THIS AFTERNOON IN Aughrim, Antrim booked their place in Division 3 of the Allianz Football League for 2017.
The Saffrons have delivered knockout performances throughout this year’s Division 4 campaign and they made it six wins out of six today to guarantee promotion.
Ahead of their 2-13 to 1-12 win against Wicklow, Frank Fitzsimmons’ side — for whom former world boxing champion Brian Magee serves as strength and conditioning coach — received the backing of current heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, who sent a video message to the team.
Fury, who shocked the boxing world back in November by dethroning Wladimir Klitschko in Düsseldorf, said:
Hello, I’m Tyson Fury, the heavyweight champion of the world, and I’m wishing County Antrim all the best of luck today in the game against Wicklow. Listen, nothing is given to you in life for free. You’ve got to go out there and work your arse off to win it. When I went over to Germany, I was expected to lose — 5/1 underdog — but I had 100% confidence in my ability. You’re going to go there and believe you can win it. Nothing’s given to you, like I say. You’ve got to go there and take it. How much do you really want it, County Antrim? Go there, do the business and get home.”
Goals from Tomás McCann and Brian Neeson were crucial to Antrim’s four-point win, which means their promotion is secured irrespective of the outcome of next weekend’s final Division 4 game against Louth, who also claimed a promotion place today thanks to a 0-13 to 0-11 defeat of Wexford.
Click here if you’re unable to view the clip.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
