Ryan wants Antrim U21s to boycott final over venue

Antrim manager Kevin Ryan believes the county should boycott the All-Ireland U21 hurling final over the decision to hold the game at Thurles next month.

Antrim want a change of venue as they will make a much longer trip to Tipperary than their opponents Clare.

"I haven't spoken to the board yet but my honest feeling is that we're not playing. It's a total disgrace," Ryan told the Irish News.

"We had a one in 50 chance of winning but that's gone now."

Antrim senior manager Ryan recently took charge of the U21s and they produced a huge upset by beating Wexford in Saturday's semi-final at Thurles.

However, selecting Thurles instead of Croke Park or an Ulster venue for the final on 14 September has angered the Saffrons.

"It won't be the board's decision, but I wouldn't go down there," added Waterford man Ryan.

"I'd suffer the consequences. I'm sick of it and we have no chance going down there to play Clare.

"You look at the junior and intermediate cup finals, camogie, ladies football - those finals are at Croke Park.

"And yet we have the first Ulster team in an All-Ireland U21 hurling final and they bring it to Thurles."