The team that the championship forgot quietly went about unnerving a side probably destined for the All-Ireland series this summer. No-one gave London a shout and so Casement Park was stunned when they took a half-time lead, sustained it and were denied probable victory by a questionable decision by an official. But have they shot their bolt? Can Timmy Maloney whistle over another 10 points? Antrim, who scored 19 points themselves, are unlikely to be so generous in the replay. They are essentially a developing team but should have enough to put away a London side who contain some pure hurlers from Munster stock but lack the match practice to back it up.
Team Selections
Antrim: S Elliott; F McMullan, E Colgan, R Donnelly; S McMullan, Gary O'Kane, C Kelly; P McKillen, M Molloy; J Carson, C McGuckian, J McIntosh; A Elliott, Greg O'Kane, L Richmond. London: B O'Malley; L Barron, AN Other, JJ Sheils; B Ryan, S Tooher, B Dolan; D Browne, P Jordan; J Kennedy, T Maloney, D Murphy; C Heaney, A Heney, E Quaine.
Team News
London are waiting to see if either Tony or Willie Lohan will recover enough to man the full back spot. If not, they will be forced to shuffle the pack. Antrim are keeping faith with the last 15 picked.
Key Confrontation
Antrim were hot favourites in the drawn game and reasons for their failure to win cannot really be levelled at their forwards, all of whom got on the scoreboard, sending a total of 19 points sailing over the bar. That London matched that was a surprise. Can they repeat the feat? Much rests on Timmy Maloney, their unerring free taker, who grabbed 10 last week.If London are to profit, he needs a similar performance tomorrow.
View From The Camps
"The last game gave us that bit of practice. We'll be sharper now, know that we can win this. Antrim will be favourites still but that doesn't bother us." - Tommy Harrell (London manager).
"If we want to win on Sunday, we will have to cut down on the errors and contest the ball more. They have some nice hurlers and it won't be an easy game." - Sean McGuinness (Antrim manager).
Prediction: Antrim.
