Former Antrim manager Dominic McKinley says relegation to the Christy Ring Cup represents "a serious, serious blow" for the Glensmen.

Kevin Ryan's charges surrendered their Leinster championship status when they were well beaten by Carlow on Sunday and McKinley told The Irish News:

"For the match against Carlow, I don't think people even realised how serious and important it was. The team clearly lacked confidence. They were all over the place and I just wonder what has happened and what is going on inside their heads.

"Relegation to Christy Ring level is a serious, serious blow for Antrim. This is a group of players who came out a couple of months ago and said how everything was going great and how we had a talented group of players.

"They said they were making great strides forward but we have just lost our way and we are playing a gameplan that doesn't suit our style of play.

"We are playing a direct game and wee tactical things are costing us. The players don't look as if they know their jobs on the pitch."

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