Saffrons anger at late throw-in

McNaughton has slammed the Ulster Council for the throw-in time

Antrim joint-manager Sambo McNaughton has hit out at the Ulster Council after the SHC semi-final against Derry was moved to a 2000 BST throw-in on Sunday.

Karl McKeegan could be missing for the Saffrons, who turned down an offer to play the game on Saturday, as he is due to fly to Germany on Sunday night.

"It's another example of hurlers being treated as second-class citizens," McNaughton told the Irish News.

Neil McGarry (ankle) and Liam Watson (groin) are doubts for Antrim.

Dual player Michael Magill returns for the Casement Park game.

"So Antrim could be without one of their main players for a Championship match - the whole thing is a joke," added McNaughton.

"Could you imagine Antrim footballers playing an Ulster Championship match at 8.00 at night or the Derry footballers? There's no chance.

"This is another great way of promoting hurling, isn't it?"

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Ulster Council official Danny Murphy said a late throw-in was required to avoid a clash with the Ulster SFC tie between Donegal and Derry, which has a 1600 start at Ballybofey.

"The reason the match was changed to a Sunday night was because Antrim couldn't play on Saturday," he explained.

"We're maybe trying to play too many matches in a short space of time."

Antrim chairman John McSparran shared McNaughton's disappointment at the Ulster Council move.

"We wanted a prominent slot (Sunday afternoon)," said McSparran.

"This new time came back to us and there was no negotiation on it.

"As to how many Derry supporters will travel to Casement at 8.00pm is another matter."

The latest Ulster Hurling Championship controversy follows the farcical delay to Saturday's clash between London and Armagh at Newry.

We were pushed to one side and it wouldn't happen at a junior B club match Armagh hurling manager Mattie Lennon

The delay was caused by a football challenge between Down and Cork at Pairc Esler which ran late after the managers insisted that fans and media leave the ground as they wanted it played completely behind closed doors.

The Ulster Council has apologised for the incident and have promised an investigation which is expected to result in the Down county board being hit with a hefty fan.

However, Down officials have insisted the incident wasn¿t their fault as they weren't given sufficient notice about Saturday's hurling game.

Armagh hurling manager Mattie Lennon was infuriated by the delay which came before his side's one-point defeat.

"We were pushed to one side and it wouldn't happen at a junior B club match," said Lennon.

"I have no problem with the match being played prior to our game. The problem is the management was not notified and that there were no facilities for our two teams.

He added: "Players are not stupid. They can sense that they are playing second fiddle and are being pushed in to play the game when they can.

"We had a good launch of the championship a few weeks ago and then all of a sudden we get this. I say action speaks louder than words.