The shock U-21 semi-final win over Wexford has put Antrim hurling back on the map according to former great Dessie Donnelly.

1989 All Star Donnelly - who was selected on the 'Stars of the 80s' team that will be honoured at h this year's All-Ireland final - believes the achievement in reaching the final against Clare can inspire the Saffrons to greater and better things at senior level in the future.

"Our biggest performance was against Dublin three years ago. Dublin have moved on to greater things but Antrim have sat still," the Ballycastle man told Gaelic Life.

"But I think this win has put Antrim, and Ulster hurling back on the map, which we have been of for the past number of years.

"Hopefully this group will bring Antrim back to where we were."

He added: "They have to get the backing that is required.

"In the future, the next four or five years this group of U-21s will be the back bone of the senior team.

"This is a great opportunity for them to step up to the mark, but not just Antrim, the whole of Ulster."

Donnelly and former team-mate Terence McNaughton made the cut on the team of the 80s who never won an All-Ireland and will be introduced to the crowd at half-time of the Liam McCarthy decider between Cork and Clare.

"I am delighted, but it was never a team that I wanted to be a part of, it's a team of players that never won an All-Ireland. I would rather not be on it. But I am delighted to be selected alongside some great players like Ger Loughnane and the [the late] Tommy Quaid." Tweet

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