Aaron Kernan has become the latest to back Antrim footballers’ stance over their Ulster Championship opener against Armagh, which has been fixed for Newry’s Pairc Esler on April 12 - though the Saffrons insist that they will only play the game at Corrigan Park.
Sligo coach Kernan tasted victory at the Belfast venue just last Sunday.
“I would back the Antrim players and their county board, their management team and their stance. I think they were drawn out first. To be fair to them, they're entitled to home advantage.
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“I would think over the next week or so that that will be ironed out. I think the switch will be made. I think ultimately it will be played in Corrigan Park.
"I don't think the Armagh players, the management team or anyone will have any issues with that whatsoever.”
Last week, Speaking at the launch of the Dalata Hotel Group Ulster U20 Football Championship in Omagh, Ulster GAA president Michael Geoghegan said he expects Antrim to appeal the choice of venue, but reiterated the view that Corrigan Park isn’t suitable to host the game.
“We have had negotiations with Antrim since January. We've met the elected officers of Antrim County Board on numerous occasions and we've expressed the concerns of the Ulster Council regarding the suitability of the venue to host this game,” said Geoghegan.
“The reason being there's 3,500 season ticket holders in Armagh - the capacity is 4,000 for Corrigan Park.
“We met Antrim and we made a lot of concessions in order to try and facilitate some sort of an agreement regarding having the game in Corrigan Park initially,” added Geoghegan.
“We sought assurances, if it was going to be in Corrigan Park, that we could put that template to our CCC. We didn't get those assurances.”
It is expected that a final decision on the venue will be made in advance of Monday night’s Ulster SFC launch event in Armagh with the game scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 12.
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