Down manager Mickey Johnston is leading calls for changes to the format of the Ulster SHC.

Fourteen-in-a-row champions Antrim have received a bye into the final for the last seven years, but Johnston believes they should be made earn their place in the decider next year after they lost their place in the Leinster SHC and were relegated to the Christy Ring Cup.

"We are in the Christy Ring, Derry lost the final of the Christy Ring and Armagh were a puck of a ball away from being in the Christy Ring, so I doubt Ulster would be allowed to automatically seed Antrim through to the final next year," Johnston said in the Irish News.

"I imagine it would be an insult to the other counties now that they (Antrim) are at Christy Ring level as well."

The Belfast man added: "Antrim came wait in the long grass, enjoy their club hurling, and prepare for one match. The Ulster Council needs to look at those structures."

Just four teams participated in this year's Ulster SHC compared to 10 - including London - in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

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