Seven years have elapsed since Lamh Dhearg last won the Antrim Senior Football title and such is the depth of hunger within the side to repeat the feat that they feel they are firing on all cylinders for Saturday’s Semi-Final at Cargin (4.00pm).
They may bring a generous ration of experience to the table with players such as Declan Lynch, Marc Jordan, and Paddy Cunningham to the fore but they know they can take nothing for granted against a strong Casements outfit.
“When you reach this stage of the Championship you just know it is going to be tough,” said Lynch.
“We have a real battle on our hands to get into seventh heaven again.”
Casements, though, have thrust themselves to the fore with Conal Delargy, Michael Kelly, Daniel McNicholl, Oisin Doherty, Ronan Kelly and Niall McKeever forming the underbelly of the side.
On Sunday reigning champions Cargin will meet St Brigid’s at Dunsilly (4.00pm) in the second Semi-Final.
Cargin will look to Justin Crozier, Michael McCann, Kevin O’Boyle, Pat Shivers and Conhuir Johnston for inspiration while St Brigid’s will take their lead from Niall Duffy, Enda Downey, Paddy Finnegan, Conan McNicholl and Shea Downey.
And Kilcoo will be on the title trail again on Saturday night when they confront Glenn in the first of the Down SFC Semi-Finals at Pairc Esler, Newry (6.30pm).
The Magpies are seeking their sixth successive county title triumph and with the Johnston brothers Shealan and Ryan, Miceal Rooney, Ryan McEvoy, Ceilum Doherty and the Branagan clan in hot form they should reach the decider.
The Tyrone SFC replay between Errigal Ciaran and Clonoe will take place at O’Neill Park, Dungannon on Saturday night (7.00pm).
The Canavan brothers Darragh and Ruairi along with Joe Oguz and Peter Harte carry a big threat from an Errigal Ciaran perspective while Clonoe will look to the accuracy of Connor McAliskey in particular to keep them in touch in what could prove to be a keenly contested affair.
Errigal Ciaran looked to have gained the upper hand in the drawn contest but Clonoe finished strongly to earn another bite at the cherry.
The Armagh Senior Hurling Championship Final will see Middletown and Keady cross swords at the Athletic Grounds on Sunday (4.00pm).
In the Derry Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Finals a double bill will hold the spotlight on Sunday at Owenbeg where title-favourites Slaughtneil will take on Kevin Lynch’s (3.00pm) and Swatragh and Banagher will also lock horns (1.00pm).