Antrim boss Frank Dawson defiant despite defeat by Monaghan

Antrim boss Frank Dawson insists positives can be taken from his team's Ulster SFC defeat by Monaghan as Farney boss Malachy O'Rourke admits his team didn't play well.

"This (performance) has given us a platform. It didn't totally work for us today but there are enough positives to move us forward," added the Antrim boss, who said that the half-time departure of injured Kevin Niblock had been a big blow for his team.

"I have great belief in the players we have here. They all want to wear the shirt. If you took all the pre-match predictions, the performances of our fellows (today) will answer whether they are proud to wear the jersey or not."