Safety Ulster GAA's priority in Corrigan stand-off

Ulster GAA insist that health and safety will be the most important factor in deciding whether Antrim will host Armagh at Corrigan Park in the Ulster Championship on 12 April.

Doubt surrounds the quarter-final fixture after Ulster GAA said the west Belfast ground did not meet the necessary standards due to its limited 4,000 capacity.

In response, Antrim's players stated they would not play the fixture against the All-Ireland champions if it was moved from west Belfast.

Ulster GAA's Competition Controls Committee (CCC) met on Tuesday night.

At that meeting, Corrigan Park was the only venue put forward for the match by Antrim GAA delegates.

In a statement, Ulster GAA said: "No decision was taken in relation to finalising a venue for the USFC match between Antrim v Armagh, pending further discussions with Antrim county board.

"Two criteria must be met to host a home game. The first is drawn out of the hat first and the second is to meet the health and safety standards."

When contacted by BBC Sport NI on Wednesday, Antrim boss Andy McEntee said "nothing has changed" as far as his team's stance is concerned.

"Corrigan Park is our home venue and that's where the Ulster Championship game against Armagh should be played," said McEntee.

"For now, our focus is on the league and Leitrim's visit to Corrigan Park this weekend."

It is understood that there was insistence from Ulster GAA that Antrim take increased responsibility for the event and make sure their ground is fit for purpose.

McEntee's side were the first team drawn in the Ulster SFC quarter-finals and, therefore, should have had home advantage.

However, All-Ireland champions Armagh are a huge draw with their number of season ticket holders believed to be in excess of 3,000 with Corrigan Park's capacity set at 4,000.

That led to a statement from Ulster GAA to say: "The minimum number of tickets required to accommodate this fixture (including, players charter, match officials, multi-sponsors, media, season tickets etc) will exceed the venue capacity".

Antrim did not play a home match in the Ulster SFC between 2013 and 2022 after the closure of Casement Park for redevelopment, which has yet to begin.

Corrigan Park hosted the Saffrons Ulster quarter-final with Cavan in 2022, and an All-Ireland Hurling preliminary quarter-final against Cork also took place at the ground later that year.

BBC Sport NI has approached Armagh GAA for comment.