McNaughton unimpressed by Antrim

Sambo McNaughton didn't hold back in his criticisms of his side

Antrim had just claimed their seventh successive Ulster Hurling title but joint-manager Sambo McNaughton was far from impressed with his team's display.

"If we hurl like we did today against Galway, then the scoreboard better be working," said a downbeat McNaughton.

"We've a mammoth task. Everywhere the players go this week, they are going to be told that they are going to be stuffed by Galway (on 28 June).

"We're going to have to try and counteract that."

The Cushendall hurling legend lamented his players' "poor first touch" in Sunday's clash.

"Their first touch has been good in training over the last couple of weeks but it was poor today.

"I thought it was a poor game of hurling. I don't think Down would have been happy with their performance either.

"We can't take any credit out of that game and I would be surprised if Down can either."

However, in actual fact, Down boss Jim McKernan heaped praise on his players for their "magnificent display".

"The team performed very well and they have brought some pride back into the Down jersey," said McKernan, who was deposed as Antrim manager prior to the arrival of McNaughton and Dominic McKinley to the Saffron County post.

"We came here to win this match. Unfortunately we got a lot of injuries coming into the game and Magic (Gareth) Johnson being unavailable made a big difference.

"We had a game plan and it nearly came off.

"Last year, they were beaten by 26 points. Today, it was five and I didn't think that it was a five-point game."