FRANK FITZSIMONS has expressed his delight after being given a further two years as Antrim’s senior football manager – but knows player apathy in the county remains one of the biggest hurdles.
At Monday night’s county board meeting, Fitzsimons was returned unopposed after making an encouraging start to his managerial career with the Antrim seniors.
“To tell you the truth, I’m over the moon to remain as Antrim manager,” said Fitzsimons.
“You’re never 100 per cent sure of these things. But it was very professional the way things were handled. I met with the board and everything seemed to be quite positive from both sides.”
And the Lámh Dhearg clubman fully expects to have highly-rated trainer Mike McGurn on board again next season.
“Mick’s is going to be there, yes," he added.
"Obviously, everything needs to be finalised. It’ll probably be three or four weeks before we announce the whole [backroom] package.”
The high point of Antrim’s season was beating Laois in the All-Ireland Qualifiers – one of the biggest upsets of the summer – after being nine points down in the early stages. Either side of that victory, Antrim suffered Championship defeats to Fermanagh.
Fitzsimons was deprived of some key players throughout the year – Kevin Niblock, Kevin O’Boyle and Brian ‘Bam’ Neeson among them, while experienced Cargin duo Michael and Tomás McCann stepped away from the panel in the latter stages of the National League. And on the eve of their All-Ireland Qualifier against Fermanagh in July, three players - Patrick McBride, Conor Burke and Patrick McAleer - left to play football in America.
“The year was difficult at times,” admitted Fitzsimons.
“To be honest, I don’t think some of our lads want to play in Division Four. Now, players have all different reasons and stuff and obviously people’s lives are busy. You look at the likes of young ‘Bam’ Neeson, he’s playing in the Irish Premiership… I don't want to start naming players, I just think some of them don’t want to be there, but we still want to have the best 26 players available to play for Antrim.
“I believe we have a semblance of a good squad because they have that year’s experience under their belts now – the likes of Ryan Murray and Dermot McAleese – we introduced a fair bit of young talent. And we’d be hoping that will work to our benefit next year. There is the nucleus of a young, fresh panel and we’ll be aiming to get promoted out of Division Four next year.”
Antrim were within one game of gaining promotion out of Division Four back in April, but lost to Offaly in Tullamore after stringing together four wins on the trot.
“I think the most enjoyable part of the season was those couple of days after the Laois win,” said Fitzsimons.
“It really showed what atmosphere you could have. It was very enjoyable getting to know the players. You get to know what makes these lads tick.”
Veteran defender Tony Scullion is the only player who has retired from the inter-county scene from last year’s panel. Fitzsimons paid a warm tribute to the long-serving Cargin clubman.
“I only got working with Tony for a year, but it was fantastic – the shape the man kept himself in and his attitude were first class. It’s a sad loss. Obviously Tony has a young family now," he said.
"He was very positive around the changing room. I still think he has a lot to offer Antrim football, whether that’s in a coaching capacity, but I think he has a role to play down the line.”
