Declan Lynch has more on his mind than the average Antrim footballer this weekend.
On Sunday, he’ll line out alongside his colleagues as they bid to oust Meath in the Tailteann Cup semi-final at Croke Park.
The following day, he jets off to Portugal ahead of his wedding to Antrim Ladies football star Áine Tubridy.
Read more: "Raring to go" - Antrim captain Peter Healy blown away by Andy McEntee's pre-match speeches
If all goes according to plan, Lynch will have another trip to Croke Park for next month’s final after his nuptials.
“We are getting married in Portugal and we’re flying out the day after the Meath game,” stated Lynch. “I’m a little bit stressed out!
“I’ve been busy getting the suits sorted for the wedding party, so it has kept my mind off the game a bit.
“Hopefully, I’ll have a Tailteann Cup final to get ready for when we get back home. We know we are up against it playing Meath this weekend.”
This Sunday’s semi-final, which will be played as a double-header with the second semi between Down and Laois at HQ, pits Antrim manager Andy McEntee against the team he managed for six years until last June.
As soon as Antrim’s place in the draw for the last four was confirmed with their 1-19 to 1-15 win over Carlow, speculation turned to a possible clash between McEntee’s current team and his native county.
However, Lynch said the draw wasn’t uppermost in the minds of the players as they were simply delighted to have booked a first visit to Croker since their 2016 Division Four final loss to Louth.
“Honestly, the draw wasn’t mentioned once,” revealed Lynch.
“We were just delighted to get to Croke Park. I know some people were saying afterwards that we could draw this team or that team.
“We haven’t looked at any of the draws all season and said we’d like to play or avoid any team. It is what it is.
“Meath are, on paper, the strongest team in the competition. They were in Division Two this season and they probably feel the Tailteann Cup is a step below them.”
Antrim’s disappointing exit from the competition at the hands of Leitrim last year is in stark contrast to their scintillating current form.
After a below-par showing in their Ulster SFC preliminary round defeat to Armagh, the Saffrons won all three games in a tough Group Four before beating Carlow last weekend.
Lynch said Westmeath’s brilliant progress in the All-Ireland series after winning the Tailteann Cup is an inspiration for all teams to follow.
“The last time Antrim won four Championship games on the bounce was 75 years ago,” added the Lámh Dhearg clubman.
“We want to step up and make our own history
“I think there was a bit of the unknown with the Tailteann Cup last year. It was something new and it takes people a bit of time to get on board with it.
“It shows this year that everybody is taking it seriously. At the end of the day, there is a chance to play in Croke Park for the so-called weaker counties.
“Make no bones about it - we want to play in Croke Park. The benefits of winning the Tailteann Cup are that you go into the All-Ireland group stages next year.
“Westmeath, bar 15 minutes against Galway and were the width of a post away from being in the preliminary quarter-finals of the All-Ireland.”
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