Antrim v CavanAT TIMES during the National League both these teams must have fancied their chances going into the championship. Antrim strode away and looked certain of promotion from Division Four, whereas Cavan were competitive against Dublin and Armagh and beat Cork in Division Two.
It all went wrong by the end, however, and calamitous defeats by Tipperary and Waterford knocked Antrim's hopes on the head while Cavan slid into Division Three. Both teams have picked teams - forward lines in particular - that are less than physically imposing, and with Joe Quinn injured, Dermot McCabe and Michael McDonald can make their presence count at centrefield.
ANTRIM: S McGreevy; K O'Boyle, A McClean, J Loughery; T Scullion, J Crozier, S Kelly; A Gallagher, M McCann; P Close, K Niblock, T McCann; P Cunningham, CJ McGourty, C Close.
CAVAN: J O'Reilly; M Hannon, R Dunne, M Brides; D Sheridan, A Forde, M Cahill; M McDonald, D McCabe; M Reilly, R Flanagan, B Watters; C Mackey, S Johnston, J O'Reilly.
Referee: Jimmy White (Donegal).
Guidelines
In the last episode: An eventful few meetings this decade, most recently in 2005 when Cavan won after a replay and two years previously when Antrim had a rare championship victory thanks to some high-ball heroics by their big full forward Darren O'Hare.
You bet: This is priced as the most even match of the day but Antrim are still on offer at 2 to 1 with the visitors 1 to 2. The draw is available at 15 to 2.
On your marks: Seán Johnston, Cavan's most visible player during a disappointing NFL campaign, is listed at full forward, which isn't a great omen given that three years ago the Antrim full back Andrew McClean didn't concede a score to the starting full forwards John Tierney and Pádraic Reilly.
Gaining ground: Casement Park has been the scene of just two Antrim victories in over 25 years of Ulster senior championship football. But away from home the gap is nearly 40 years.
Just the ticket: Stands are ticket only. Tickets can be obtained from county boards or the Ulster Council and cost €27 or £20. Terraces are available at €18 or £13.
Crystal gazing: Neither side appears to be exactly bursting with confidence but Cavan have enough extra experience to guide themselves safely through this and into Armagh's sights.
