Antrim boss Liam Bradley has expressed disappointment at the level of verbal abuse his players were subjected to by Kildare 'supporters' during last Saturday's drawn All-Ireland football qualifier in Newbridge.

His comments are certain to add spice to Saturday's replay in Casement Park, with Leitrim awaiting the winners in the second round.

"A lot of my players took a lot of flak from supporters," Bradley said in the Irish Daily Star.

"You would have thought it was more of a soccer match than a Gaelic match. I was just happy when the final whistle went to tell you the truth.

"Kildare have tremendous support, but I was a wee bit disappointed with some of the stuff that was coming from the terraces towards the players and managers.

"I don't want to go into what was said. I want a nice wee atmosphere in Belfast on Saturday night. I just hope our supporters won't behave the way some of the Kildare supporters did."

Kildare secretary Kathleen O'Neill was taken aback by Bradley's comments.

She said: "I would've thought if the Antrim manager had any problems with the Kildare fans, he would've come to the Kildare county board first. That's the first I've heard of it."

Last Saturday's game was an emotionally-charged affair after the legendary Dermot Earley Snr's funeral earlier in the day in Newbridge, and the brave decision of his son, Dermot Jnr, to play in the game. Tweet

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