Antrim manager Kevin Ryan admits the 'apathy' of some of the county's U-21 hurlers is annoying.

Despite last year's memorable All-Ireland semi-final victory over Wexford, Ryan revealed there are still players who turn down the chance to wear the saffron jersey.

"Getting there last year would encourage some of the newer lads, but we're really dealing with the same people, barring a couple that we lost [overage] being replaced by a few minors coming through," he said to the Irish News.

"There's still no great desire from some lads to play but we've found the lads who do want to play and we're trying to get the best out of them.

"I wouldn't say it's frustrating. It's kind of annoying sometimes, the apathy towards it. You would think fellas would be jumping out of their skin to play under-21 or play for Antrim.

"It's close to two years at this stage we've been finding lads who want to play and who have the hunger, and that bodes well in all of those grades.

"The day of a fella turning up to play a match, or doing an odd session and playing a match, they're well gone." Tweet

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