Hope springs eternal but Tyrone should triumph

ULSTER SFC FINAL:Tyrone v Antrim, Venue:Clones, Throw-in:2pm, tomorrow, On TV:Live RTÉ 2 & BBC 2

ACCORDING TO a recent article in The New Yorker magazine, David’s victory over Goliath, in the Biblical account, is not the anomaly it’s typically presented to be. The political scientist Ivan Arreguin-Toft recently looked at every war fought in the past 200 years between weak and strong opponents, and the Goliaths only won in 71.5 per cent of cases.

Arreguin-Toft was analysing conflicts in which one side was at least 10 times as powerful – in terms of armed might and population – as its opponent, and even in those lopsided contests, the underdog won almost a third of the time. That’s the kind of hope Antrim are relying upon in Clones tomorrow afternoon.

There is no denying Tyrone are the Goliaths – but they’re hardly 10 times as powerful as Antrim. At least, one would hope not. The All-Ireland champions have, however, looked as ominous as ever in the run through Ulster, brushing aside Armagh and then Derry with the minimum of fuss.

Antrim are seeking a first title since 1951 and it’s just difficult to see how they can break down the All-Ireland champions. They are sure to keep Tyrone busy, but beating them is a different matter. It’s a first ever Ulster final meeting between the sides, and Antrim’s first final since 1970, and that should guarantee plenty of vigour and ambition from the underdogs.

But they best they can hope for is to make Goliath wonder whether he was the giant after all.

TYRONE:J Devine; PJ Quinn, Justin McMahon, R McMenamin; D Harte, C Gormley, P Jordan; K Hughes, S Cavanagh; B Dooher, T McGuigan, Joe McMahon, M Penrose, S O'Neill, O Mulligan.

ANTRIM:P Graham; C Brady, A McClean, K O'Boyle; T Scullion, J Crozier, J Loughrey; M McCann, A Gallagher; T O'Neill, K Brady, N McKeever; P Cunningham, S Burke, T McCann.

Referee:P Hughes (Armagh).

In the last episode:The most recent clash was in the Ulster championship in 2003 when Tyrone won by 1-17 to 1-9 enroute to their first All-Ireland title. Antrim's last championship win over Tyrone was back 1964.

You bet:Betting starts at 1/14 for Tyrone, 17/2 Antrim, 14/1 a Draw – but the handicap betting is more appealing at 5/6 Tyrone (-7) and 11/10 Antrim (+7).

On your marks:Antrim can't afford to let Tyrone get a run on them or else it could be over very soon. Tyrone won't mind slowing turning because ultimately they should win at their own pace.

Gaining ground:There's nothing like Clones on Ulster football final day to bring the championship to life.

Just the ticket:Stand: €25/£20; Terrace: €15/£13; Juveniles: €5/£4; Senior Citizen (Stand): €15/£13. Tickets available through County Boards and www.ticketmaster.ie. Family tickets are available through Clubs and County Boards.

Crystal gazing:It's hard to believe that a year ago Tyrone were deemed in decline, now their dominance looks more than ever.