New Laois hurling manager Niall Rigney has hit out at the GAA authorities after they turned down a request for a 24-hour postponement of their Liam McCarthy Cup relegation clash with Antrim on Saturday week. The county's footballers will be involved in an All-Ireland qualifier against Longford on the same day which will deprive Rigney of the services of dual stars Cahir Healy, Johnny O'Loughlin and Darren Rooney. The losers of the Laois-Antrim game will face the winners of the Christy Ring Cup to decide who competes in hurling's top tier next year. Rigney convinced the three dual players to return to the fold after the taking over the managerial reins from Damien Fox a fortnight ago, and said they are keen to assist in the hurlers' survival bid. "All we are looking for is a 24-hour postponement of the hurling game. We asked for it but were turned down flatly. It seems to me that there's no respect for players from counties like Laois. Do you think this would happen to one of the stronger hurling counties?" he fumed. "And to make matters worse, the venue for the Laois-Antrim game will be decided by a toss. Surely, it should be played at a neutral venue rather than forcing one of us to travel so far. The whole thing is a joke." Tweet

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