Antrim withdraw from Tommy Murphy Cup

Antrim have become the second county to pull out of this summer's Tommy Murphy Cup.

The Saffrons have handed Tipperary footballers a walkover for Saturday's quarter-final tie in Thurles, as they cannot field a full team.

According to the Antrim county board, a combination of hurling fixtures, injuries and holidays are said to be the reason for their side's withdrawal.

Unfortunately, this could prove something of a death knell for the second-tier competition, which was won by Clare in its inaugural year, last August.

Attendances have been poor at this summer's Murphy Cup ties, with the Wexford v Fermanagh quarter-final only drawing 150 spectators last month.

Fermanagh qualified for that game as a result of Carlow handing them a walkover, as they could not field a team, two weeks previously.