Antrim have work to do for glory days to return

Antrim have work to do for glory days to returnImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Joe Quinn and Tony Convery celebrate Antrim's win over Down in 2000 - the county's first Ulster SFC victory in 18 yearsByDavid MohanBBC Sport NI journalistPublished3 minutes agoAs the heavens opened at Casement Park on Sunday, 28 May, 2000, Antrim's players and supporters shed tears of joy as the Saffrons put 18 years of hurt behind them with victory over Down in the Ulster Senior Football Championship.Since their quarter-final win over Cavan in 1982, the Saffrons had known nothing but defeat until Brian White's men created their own storm.Three years later, they got the better of Cavan at the quarter-final stage and bigger days would follow, none more so than the run to the 2009 Ulster final.However, Antrim have recorded just one victory on the provincial stage since - a 2-18 to 3-13 win over Fermanagh in 2014.Outside of the Tailteann Cup, Antrim have won just two senior championship games in the years that followed - both in the All-Ireland qualifiers - against Laois in 2015 and Louth in 2019.As they prepare to face Derry in Saturday's Ulster quarter-final at Celtic Park, Mark Doran's side are considered long shots, but can they summon the spirit of 2000 or is the provincial malaise to tick into a 13th year?"It's going to be a huge task on Saturday," admits Paddy Cunningham, captain when Antrim last graced Ulster final day.Derry v Antrim2026 Ulster Senior Football Championship18 April, 17:00 BSTCeltic Park, DerryWatch on iPlayerWhile Antrim prop up Ulster's power rankings, they do come into this weekend on something of a high.A poor start to their Division Four league campaign saw them ship three losses, but responded well, rattling off four straight victories.It wasn't enough for promotion and playing at a higher level is "crucial", according to Cunningham, who played Division Two football at one stage in the saf...