THE ANTRIM FOOTBALL squad have hit back in the wake of their Ulster championship game against Armagh being moved to Newry this evening by Ulster GAA.
Antrim were entitled to home advantage for the fixture, which would have seen the game played in Corrigan Park in Belfast, but the limited capacity at the venue has complicated the arrangement, with All-Ireland champions Armagh also having a large number of season ticket holders.
The Ulster CCC (Competitions Control Committee) made the announcement earlier this evening that the game had been fixed for Páirc Esler in Newry with a 7pm throw-in time.
They stated that they ‘have sympathised with Antrim GAA’s situation, which re-iterates the need for Casement Park to be redeveloped as a matter of urgency’.
But the Antrim players have since responded by insisting they will not be conceding home advantage.
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The Antrim footballers before last summer's Tailteann Cup semi-final. Tom Maher / INPHO
Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO
“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.”
The Antrim county board have also released a statement, reiterating that Corrigan Park is ‘the appropriate venue’ for the game.
“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.”
Corrigan Park in Belfast. Leah Scholes / INPHO
Leah Scholes / INPHO / INPHO
Antrim released their statement through the GPA with the players’ body outlining their support for Antrim’s decision.
“The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) stands fully behind the Antrim senior football squad’s position that their Ulster Championship opening round fixture against Armagh must be played at their designated home ground.
“The GPA has spoken to representatives of both the Antrim and Armagh squads this evening and has made this position clear.
“We acknowledge Corrigan Park will not accommodate all Antrim and Armagh supporters but the integrity of the competition and the fundamental principle of home advantage take precedence.
“Financial and logistical concerns should not be prioritised over sporting fairness. We urge Ulster GAA to immediately reconsider their decision.”
There have been two other notable previous cases where similar controveries emerged over venues. In 2018, Kildare refused to budge from their stance that they had home advantage for their qualifier against Mayo. The GAA had concerns over the capacity of the ground, but Kildare got the game played at St Conleth’s Park.
In 2023, Cork held onto home advantage in Páirc Uí Rinn for their Munster semi-final against Kerry when their main venue Páirc Uí Chaoimh was unavailable due to an Ed Sheeran concert.
Following a meeting of the Ulster Competitions Control Committee this afternoon, the decision was taken that the forthcoming Antrim v Armagh Ulster Senior Football Championship game will be held at Pairc Esler on Saturday 12th April, throw-in 7pm.
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The Ulster GAA statement read:
“Following a meeting of the Ulster Competitions Control Committee this afternoon, the decision was taken that the forthcoming Antrim v Armagh Ulster Senior Football Championship game will be held at Pairc Esler on Saturday 12th April, throw-in 7pm.
“In reaching this decision, the committee sympathised with Antrim GAA’s situation, which re-iterates 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.”
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Antrim hit back after Armagh game moved to Newry by Ulster GAA
LAST UPDATE | 6 Mar 2025
THE ANTRIM FOOTBALL squad have hit back in the wake of their Ulster championship game against Armagh being moved to Newry this evening by Ulster GAA.
Antrim were entitled to home advantage for the fixture, which would have seen the game played in Corrigan Park in Belfast, but the limited capacity at the venue has complicated the arrangement, with All-Ireland champions Armagh also having a large number of season ticket holders.
The Ulster CCC (Competitions Control Committee) made the announcement earlier this evening that the game had been fixed for Páirc Esler in Newry with a 7pm throw-in time.
They stated that they ‘have sympathised with Antrim GAA’s situation, which re-iterates the need for Casement Park to be redeveloped as a matter of urgency’.
But the Antrim players have since responded by insisting they will not be conceding home advantage.
“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.”
The Antrim county board have also released a statement, reiterating that Corrigan Park is ‘the appropriate venue’ for the game.
“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.”
Antrim released their statement through the GPA with the players’ body outlining their support for Antrim’s decision.
“The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) stands fully behind the Antrim senior football squad’s position that their Ulster Championship opening round fixture against Armagh must be played at their designated home ground.
“The GPA has spoken to representatives of both the Antrim and Armagh squads this evening and has made this position clear.
“We acknowledge Corrigan Park will not accommodate all Antrim and Armagh supporters but the integrity of the competition and the fundamental principle of home advantage take precedence.
“Financial and logistical concerns should not be prioritised over sporting fairness. We urge Ulster GAA to immediately reconsider their decision.”
There have been two other notable previous cases where similar controveries emerged over venues. In 2018, Kildare refused to budge from their stance that they had home advantage for their qualifier against Mayo. The GAA had concerns over the capacity of the ground, but Kildare got the game played at St Conleth’s Park.
In 2023, Cork held onto home advantage in Páirc Uí Rinn for their Munster semi-final against Kerry when their main venue Páirc Uí Chaoimh was unavailable due to an Ed Sheeran concert.
The Ulster GAA statement read:
“Following a meeting of the Ulster Competitions Control Committee this afternoon, the decision was taken that the forthcoming Antrim v Armagh Ulster Senior Football Championship game will be held at Pairc Esler on Saturday 12th April, throw-in 7pm.
“In reaching this decision, the committee sympathised with Antrim GAA’s situation, which re-iterates 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.”
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Antrim Armagh Gaelic Football Ground Of Choice Ulster