Antrim senior hurling captain Neil McManus says he is disappointed with the lack of respect shown for the Ulster SHC final, which has been postponed until early 2014.

The Saffrons are bidding for their 12th provincial title in-a-row but remain in limbo as Ulster officials have yet to decide on a date for the game against Down.

The final had originally been fixed for July 7th before being postponed to accommodate Down's semi-final replay against Derry. November 3rd was the new date set to avoid a clash with the club championships, but those plans have since been changed in an effort to avoid a clash with the GAA's winter break season.

"It's really not treated with any great respect at all," McManus said yesterday, speaking at the launch of the Wheelchair Hurling inter-provincials.
Antrim are considered as one of the 'top tier' teams in the country, which sees them competing in the Leinster SHC championship each summer, along with their home province.

"It's not a waste of time," he added. "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." Tweet

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