'Right thing' that Corrigan Park will host Armagh - McBride
Patrick McBride previously told BBC Sport NI that Antrim could boycott their Ulster SFC quarter-final
- Published
Antrim footballer Patrick McBride has said his county's Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final with Armagh will now be played "where it's meant to be" with the game set to be held at Corrigan Park on 12 April.
In October's Ulster SFC draw, the Saffrons were picked to play at home against the All-Ireland champions but Ulster GAA said last month that Corrigan Park "does not meet the required health and safety standard to accommodate" the fixture given the expected number of visiting fans.
This month the game was switched to Pairc Esler in Newry but, with the Antrim panel threatening a boycott, a resolution appears to have been found and Corrigan Park is expected to be the confirmed venue this week.
"It's very significant," McBride told BBC Sport NI.
"All the players will be glad that we've got the match where it's meant to be, but not just players, the people of Antrim as well.
"It was the right thing to do."
'If we keep moving somewhere else, what's the point in having Casement Park?'
With the Casement Park redevelopment still not resolved - something McBride called a "disgrace" - there was no other suitable venue in Belfast.
Having suffered relegation to Division Four of the Allianz Leagues at the weekend, Andy McEntee's side will still be considered underdogs regardless of where the fixture is played, but McBride added that the issue was about more than just competitive advantage.
"As a team, we're realists. It's a team that just got relegated to Division Four playing the All-Ireland champions," he said.
"Yes, it gives you a better chance to win the match, but it's so much more at stake - principle, the right thing, we were drawn first, we've no Casement Park.
"If we keep moving somewhere else, what's the point in having Casement Park? It's a disgrace that we don't have it at the minute."
McBride added that it was important for the next generation to be able to watch games of such significance within their own county.
"I grew up not knowing how good Antrim were or what but always wanting to play for Antrim because of going to big games," he said.
"It sparked your interest. Things like this are needed in the city."