Elliott departs in controversial circumstances with the Dunloy man claiming that he has been treated "disgracefully" by the Antrim management.

The veteran was left out of the Antrim squad for the recent Ulster semi-final trip to New York.

Elliott claims that he was the only player in the 32-strong Antrim panel who wasn't invited to make the trip to the Big Apple.

"Of a squad of 32, 30 were picked to go to New York.

"Myself and another player were left out which wasn't a problem but when that other player was told he could go I knew it was time to call it a day," Elliott told the Irish News.

The Dunloy forward battled his way back to fitness after sustaining a fractured skull in the All-Ireland Club Quarter-Final against Father Murphy's in December.

However Elliott claims that he "never really felt part of the panel" after he returned in late April.

Antrim manager Dinny Cahill has denied that Elliott was badly treated.

"He knew he wasn't going to New York and accepted it," Cahill told the Irish News.

"I don't know what then got into him," added Cahill.

Monan available

Meanwhile, Down have a number of injury worries for Sunday's Guinness Ulster Hurling final against Antrim.

Mick Braniff is doubtful after having to go off in the semi-final replay against Derry because of a hamstring injury.

Paul Coulter, Tom Coulter and Gerard Adair also picked up knocks in the win over Derry.

On the plus side, midfielder Paddy Monan should be available again after having his wisdom teeth removed last week.