Do or die clash at the Dub
By Kevin Herron, Antrim Ladies PRO
This weekend brings the final round of fixtures in the Tesco Homegrown National Ladies Football League Division 4 and there is still very much to play for. Offaly can sit back and relax knowing that their place in the semi-final is guaranteed, but for Limerick, Roscommon, Antrim and Louth the weekend’s fixtures are crucial. Limerick host Offaly knowing that a victory would surely secure a semi-final berth, while Antrim face a do or die clash against Roscommon at the Dub. Last week’s victory over Limerick was a crucial one which takes Antrim level on points with both the Shannonsiders and this week’s opponents Roscommon.
There will be added pressure on each of the three sides Antrim, Limerick and Roscommon with each side knowing a slip-up could be detrimental to their chances of finishing in the top four, as fifth place Louth entertain Derry with an outside chance of moving into the top four. Antrim and Roscommon’s clash at the Dub is probably the game that takes the greatest significance in Division Four. Victory for either side will secure a semi-final place, but defeat especially for Roscommon would leave them with the possibility of slipping out of contention for promotion, Antrim on the other hand would have a fall-back with a re-arranged game to come against Derry.
Roscommon who were relegated from Division three last year would have been hoping for a more straightforward route into the semi-final, though defeats to Louth and Offaly have left the Rossie’s with work to do to secure their place in the top four. Antrim meanwhile have performed exceptionally well in the campaign with one defeat to date, against Offaly and two great victories over promotion rivals Louth and Limerick. Brian Coyle and his management team will be hoping they can show the same level of application that won them three points against Limerick last Saturday and they will surely secure a semi-final place.
