Davy Fitzgerald hit back at criticism levelled against him by Antrim legend Terence ‘Sambo’ McNaughton following the Saffrons’ relegation to the Joe McDonagh Cup.

Defeat to Offaly in yesterday’s do-or-die Leinster SHC Round 5 encounter at a wind-swept Glenisk O’Connor Park sent Antrim back to the second-tier championship after a bitterly disappointing season under the Sixmilebridge man, who came in for stinging criticism from McNaughton during the week.

“To the knockers, you're not doing Antrim any favours doing what you're doing, that's all I'll say to you. You think you're big men, you're not big men. I'm so proud of them today, immensely proud of them. That's the character to have,” he told reporters.

“I have so much respect for him (McNaughton) and I'm just so disappointed in what he did, but he's entitled to his opinion”.

Fitzgerald, who was appointed for a two-year term last autumn, refused to be drawn on his future with the Glensmen, adding: “A friend who has been very good to me persuaded me to come up to Antrim and I never regretted it.

“I just need a bit of time. I'm not saying I won't, I think you can tell by me I'm just absolutely beat, I'm just tired. So we'll see what happens."

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