Enda McGinley believes that the on-going row over where Antrim will play their Ulster SFC quarter-final against All-Ireland champions Armagh is unfair on the players and that Ulster GAA have got their priorities wrong.
Antrim are adamant that the game be played at their home venue of Corrigan Park while the Ulster GAA insist that it be played at Páirc Esler in Newry.
Antrim had stated they would not take part in the fixture if it was moved away from their home ground and with weeks to go until the 12 April game, there appear to be an impasse.
Ulster GAA claim that Corrigan Park's capacity does not meet the "required health and safety standard" to stage the match. According to Ulster, Corrigan Park has a certified capacity of 4,000 and the minimum number of tickets required to accommodate the fixture will exceed the venue capacity, necessitating a venue change.
Enda McGinley, who managed Antrim between 2020 and 2022 feels that the row is putting undue pressure on the county's players and he fears that the Ulster council may be prioritising revenue over sporting fairness.
"Having been around the set-up, like, those Antrim players give massive commitment," he said while speaking on League Sunday.
"It’s the same as the other players down in Division 4. It's tough down there when you don't have the glories associated with your Division 1 teams, to commit year on year.
"Antrim have lost their home venue. There are brilliant players there that have played their entire career not getting to play on Casement Park through no fault of their own. The core issue here is Casement Park.
"For the Ulster Council, they're in a difficult situation. They want to maximise the crowds at their games for financial reasons, as well considering the interests of supporters that want to go and that’s where their priority is.
"Is the priority sporting fairness for Antrim players? For me, that's, that's where I am, but I'm probably biased. I think that's where [the priority] should go.
"I know discussions are ongoing and I know there's appeal in. I hope that it eventually will end up in Corrigan Park.
"It maybe affected them today with the Sligo result, and it creates an unnecessary circus and adds pressure on the players’ shoulders."
