‘You're not big men' – Davy Fitzgerald hits out at Antrim's ‘knockers' while also aiming jibe at Sambo McNaughton
The county will play Joe McDonagh Cup hurling next year thanks to yesterday's
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The Clare legend hit out at a few detractors afterwards
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Saffron legend Terence McNaughton had criticised his management style
Killian Sampson's second-half goal rescued the Faithful when 14-man Antrim got back within a point, and Johnny Kelly's men held on to survive in the do-or-die clash.
Last week, former boss McNaughton accused Fitzgerald of 'throwing players under the bus' and disrespecting coaches in the county since taking the reins last winter.
The Clare man expressed dismay at McNaughton's comments, and says he will take time to consider his future as manager after dropping out of the top tier.
He said: 'To the knockers, you're not doing Antrim any favours. That's all I'll say to you. You think you're big men, you're not big men.
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'I have good time for Sambo, I'm just so disappointed in him.
'He was in management, probably didn't do great. I have so much respect for him and I'm just so disappointed in what he did but he's entitled to his opinion.
'He's entitled to his opinion but it doesn't show class.
"It's the same with anything you do. I'm not going to say anything bad about him because I'm just disappointed, just disappointed in him.
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'It doesn't need that, we're trying our absolute best so we don't need the likes of that but he's entitled to his opinion.'
When asked if he was staying on for a second year, Fitzgerald said: 'I just want time. I'm just really proud of them today, they did so well.
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"I couldn't be prouder of them. I'm just absolutely shattered now.
'I'm just going to take a bit of time and just relax. I keep saying to you after Waterford last year, I was done. I knew I was done after Waterford last year.
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'But 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'm not saying that.
'I think you can tell by me I'm just absolutely beat, just tired. So just — we'll see what happens.'
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