Antrim players want clarity amid 'concern' over Fitzgerald position

The Antrim senior hurling squad have requested a meeting with the county board at Tuesday evening's training session to address "significant concern" after they claimed they received conflicting reports about manager Davy Fitzgerald's future.

In a letter to the county board, which has been seen by BBC Sport NI, the players say they were under the impression that a decision was made to remove Fitzgerald from his role following last weekend's Joe McDonagh Cup defeat by Laois, only for the decision to be reversed.

However, the squad said they were subsequently informed "that no such action had taken place" and when the matter was brought to Antrim GAA chairman Seamus McMullan, he "indicated that he had no knowledge of it".

In the letter, the playing group say McMullan's response is "particularly concerning" given that Fitzgerald confirmed that "the sequence of events did in fact occur".

"The contradiction between what occurred and what has been communicated has created uncertainty and a lack of trust among players," read the letter.

The players added that if the board do not attend the meeting and engage with the squad, they will "not proceed with the scheduled training session and further action could be taken".

BBC Sport NI has contacted Antrim GAA for comment.

While the run of poor results has led to disquiet among the playing panel and some Antrim GAA administrators, it is understood Fitzgerald has indicated a desire to remain in charge.

The players also complained that some members of the group "have still not received the full allocation of gear that is expected".

"This has been highlighted as part of the basic gear requirements outlined in the GPA (Gaelic Players Association) Players' Charter, which further underlines the importance of addressing the matter without delay," the letter added.

The squad want a meeting with McMullan at their Dunsilly training base on Tuesday night "to provide clarity" on the situation involving Fitzgerald and their outstanding training gear.

Fitzgerald, who led his native Clare to an All-Ireland title in 2013, succeeded Darren Gleeson as Antrim boss at the end of the 2024 season on a two-year term with the option of a third.

The former Wexford and Waterford boss kept the Saffrons in Division One B of the Allianz Hurling League last year but was unable to prevent the county's relegation from the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship.

This season, they lost league matches to Wexford, Clare, Kildare, Dublin and Down, but their sole victory over Carlow proved enough to avoid relegation on points difference.

After losing their opening Joe McDonagh Cup games to Down and Laois, they face London in Ruislip on 10 May before home fixtures against Westmeath and Carlow.