Terence 'Sambo' McNaughton has described the state of Antrim hurling as "embarrassing" and says it "will die unless something is done".

The Saffrons finished bottom of Division 2A this season before losing to Meath the re-fixed Christy Ring Cup final in June, while the county's minor side were beaten lost out by 20 points to Galway in the All-Ireland minor quarter-finals.

McNaughton, who teamed up with Dominic 'Woody' McKinley, Gary O'Kane and Neal Peden to take over from senior manager PJ Mullan, who resigned back in April, says full commitment will be required from the players if they are to be part of next year's squad.

"It's embarrassing. But then what can you expect? The U21s trained once. There's no point having the U21s and minors going straight into the All-Ireland semi-finals or quarter-finals because they're not ready for it," McNaughton told the Belfast Telegraph.

"Antrim hurling will die unless something is done. There's a real apathy around and that's dangerous. I wish I didn't give a damn and just sit in a bar and talk rubbish about it as some do.

"I'm not like that. And neither is 'Woody' or the other lads. It means an awful lot to us, which is why we're going to try and do something. I think it's time for local people to take charge.

"We're not going in for money or glamour. We're doing it because we love hurling. We'll bring back old-fashioned values of commitment and effort, pride in the Antrim jersey. You're either giving full commitment or you're out."

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