ANTRIM CAPTAIN NEIL McManus says it is a “shambles” that the Ulster hurling final will not be played until early 2014.
The dominant Saffrons are aiming for 12-in-a-row at provincial level but they are still waiting for Ulster bosses to fix a date for their game against Down.
The final was originally scheduled for 7 July but was postponed to accommodate Down’s semi-final replay against Derry.
It was then pushed back to 3 November to avoid a clash with club championships but those plans had to be shelved as the date falls within the GAA’s winter break.
“It’s really not treated with any great respect at all,” McManus said yesterday, speaking at the launch of the Wheelchair Hurling inter-provincials.
McManus with Steven Casey. Casey will take part in the M Donnelly Interprovincial Wheelchair Hurling Tournament on Saturday 2 November in Athlone IT. (INPHO/James Crombie)
With no date agreed, Ulster Council president Martin McAviney conceded the final is now unlikely to be played before the new year.
“I am more disappointed we didn’t get agreement to get the game played,” McAviney said.
I think we could have got the game played. I’d much prefer to play it this year. It’s a busy schedule we have and I can see why everybody got caught up in games.
“I would say there’s a shared blame and I’d take some responsibility in myself. I honestly thought people would come forward and agreed to a date. I would say the two counties have a responsibility as well.”
Despite the scheduling mess, McManus said players still value the Ulster Championship but admitted that the county’s future in the competition may be short-lived.
As one of 12 ‘top tier’ hurling counties in the Liam McCarthy Cup, Antrim also play in the Leinster Championship each summer.
“It’s not a waste of time,” McManus said. “As players we love that, the Ulster final and the occasion. It’s very important to any Ulster person.
There’s still a feeling there for it but at the same time it’s kind of unfair that Antrim get to play in the Ulster Championship and in the Leinster Championship.
“I think quite possibly if Antrim are going to be playing in the Leinster Championship, it might only be fair to the rest of the teams for Antrim to step away from the Ulster Championship.”
