SAFFRON SKIPPER SAYS SHOCK’S ON

Cavan v Antrim

Kingspan Breffni Park, 1.15pm

ORLA BANNON DECLAN LYNCH didn’t leave his house the day after Antrim’s 25- point hammering by Wicklow ( left) last month out of “pure embarrassment”.

It was a loss which cost the Saffrons’ promotion from Division Four – their main aim for the year.

However, a straight knockout winter Championship is throwing up the unexpected, so Antrim will travel to Cavan for today’s Ulster SFC first round clash believing they can win.

“There will be shocks in this Championship right across all provinces,” insists skipper Lynch.

“I am not saying we are definitely going to be one, but why not prepare that we could possibly be one?

“We are a Division Four team so there is no point thinking we are going to be anywhere close to being favourites. But you have to be prepared to take advantage of any slip- ups.”

The Lamh Dhearg defender added: “Teams didn’t have their full preparation of another six to eight- week block of training between League and Championship to get fitness levels where they want it to be.

“My personal opinion is that you will see a purer style of football. There were a lot more scores in the League and it is down to people not having had the ball in their hand for long enough and people making mistakes.”