When Antrim stunned Donegal in the Ulster senior football championship earlier this month, the McCann connection played a major role in their unexpected success.

Tomas McCann swept in the precious goal that established the platform for victory, his brother Michael tortured the Donegal rearguard in his unaccustomed position of full-forward and their brother-in-law, wing-back Tony Scullion, proved a colossus both in defence and attack, particularly in the second half.

Should the trio replicate this input in tomorrow night’s Ulster semi-final against Cavan at Clones (7.00pm) then manager Liam Bradley will have cause for believing that an Ulster final slot could become an Antrim reality for the first time since 1970.

But Bradley, father of Derry aces Eoin and Paddy, has been round too many corners not to acknowledge that other even more pertinent factors will have to come into the equation if the Saffrons are to earn their passport into a showdown with All Ireland champions Tyrone.

“We need to be sound at the back and work our socks off at midfield. And it’s essential that we make our chances count up front,” asserts Bradley.

Against Donegal, Bradley withdrew Terry O’Neill into a holding role in defence, pushed Michael McCann up into full forward and paired Australia-bound Niall McKeever with Aodhan Gallagher in midfield. The Breffni side, who beat Fermanagh in the last round, still tend to place more emphasis on toil and effort than flair and artistry, yet in Cian Mackey, Seanie Johnston, Mark Reilly and Ray Cullivan they have players well capable of examining Antrim’s defensive credentials.

And equally, Damian Sheridan, John McCutcheon and Michael Brides in particular along with

ace goalkeeper James Reilly could frustrate the Saffrons forwards.

In one area in particular, Cavan appear to have an advantage — and that’s on the bench. Paul Brady, Michael Lyng and Larry Reilly embrace a lot of championship experience and craft while David Giveney has already shown himself to be an emerging talent. The shrewd deployment of substitutes has been a big feature of the Ulster Championship to date.

It promises to be a lively, all-action battle — and if Antrim can maintain their discipline, restrict the impact of Johnston in particular and gain parity (at least) at midfield then the county’s 39-year wait for an Ulster final appearance could be dramatically ended.

|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.

CAVAN: J Reilly; M Hannon, D Sheridan, M Brides; J McCutcheon, E Keating, P Reilly; N Walsh, C Galligan; S Brady, R Flanagan, C Mackey; M Reilly, R Cullivan, S Johnston.

Referee: John Bannon (Longford).