IT HAS EMERGED that Antrim nearly failed to field a team in this year’s All-Ireland Under-21 hurling semi-final.
In the county’s annual report, secretary Francis Quinn painted a farcical picture of the build-up to the meeting with Dublin.
A number of frantic phone calls had to be made to ensure they would have enough players to put out a team just minutes before departing for Pairc Esler in Newry.
Despite the uncertainty, the game did go ahead as Dublin swept Antrim aside by 3-23 to 0-6 before losing out to Galway in the final, and Quinn explained that it represents the lowest point of his involvement with the GAA.
“This type of attitude and preparation is simply not acceptable,” he said on Monday.
“In all my years of attending Antrim games as both a supporter and administrator this ranks as one of the worst I have ever endured.
“Serious thought has to be given to this age group to ensure that we prepare in a manner befitting the status of Ulster Champions.”
As well as suggesting that how the teams are run needs to be seriously re-evaluated, Quinn blasted the increase in abuse directed at referees, suggesting a “zero tolerance approach” as the only possible long term solution.
“The Antrim CCC has dealt decisively with all cases of referee abuse brought before them but given the level of sanctions imposed on offenders I ask myself are we approaching a situation whereby we will no longer have a deterrent sufficiently strong enough to deter offenders?
“Clubs cannot and should not ever attempt to defend any member found guilty of abusing referees,” he added.
