Messages

Max, busy today, just getting a chance to respond.

I have to agree that the club SHOULD be the basis for proper coaching. Also CSC point that at times CD squads actually hamper what you are trying to do at club level.

I cant imagine Max that too many potentially goodplayers in Bellaghy slip through the net. Thats because your structures are good now, and as a club you worked hard to put these structures in place.

However in Antrim we wouldnt have that many clubs really doing the development thing properly. An earlier poster named four or five, and if there are a couple more that would be the height of it. Truthfully I wouldnt be worried about a decent prospect getting a good education at half a dozen clubs, and now include Glenavy in that bracket too. But few of these would be on the scale of Ballinderry, Bellaghy, Kilrea or Magherafelt for example.

If the county dev squads are badly organised, then there is no benefit to them at all. But if they are run properly, on a systemised basis, with individual sessions dedicated to all the basic and relevant skills of the game, where there is enjoyment, reward and status, then I think that quite a few individuals would benefit from them.

Where they can be assessed for the stronger/weaker parts of their game, introducing strength and conditioning where appropriate.

In conclusion I see the proper resources being put in to making this a priority, where the county can take outright responsibility for the proper development of its potentially elite, rather than leave that huge responsibility to a handful of clubs who are still a long way off the four Derry clubs you would have dealings with or against.

And on another note, with the opening of Croke park, and the extra money for urban development, and Antrim now obviously the weak link in Ulster, how hard would it be to put a FULL TIME coach into three or four of our larger schools. These coaches to be employed not by Antrim, but by Ulster.

A strong Antrim would be a massive lift for the game in Ulster, with massive crowds sure to get behind any successful senior team.

Some good points there.

Agree with O Neill, the lack of any worthwhile juvenile development is by far our biggest problem. Saffron Sam may disagree, but I think Mc Sparran has been a very good leader, my only fear is that he will either get disillusioned, or burnt out, whichever comes first.

Dont want to sound parochial here, but I think North Antrim has a decent juvenile set up, and the hurling people there have stood up and made it happen.

The South West are in the process of putting together a decent development squad, for football, and I would have an insight on how they will drive on with this over the summer. They have a squad session on Saturday, and every club that has players good enough will have them present. They have a nice mixture of coaching and games lined up, witha view of doing really well at the next Ulster blitz at the start of August. Their itinerary has a start, a middle and an end, and has the full support of the SW executive.

To me the WEAK link is the city. What has the South Antrim committee there doing to promote the PROPER develoment of young players. Lets call a spade a spade here. The Belfast area is lagging well behind in both football and hurling development. For the sake of a better Antrim, it needs to get its act together.

Speaking of the boul Jonny Joe, whatever became of him? 

TommyGun, youre a bit too clever right now!

I have no intention of naming the players in public, but they are well known to those that matter. PWTW, I`d like to think it was down to one surprise c`ship starter, plus a hurler which is not relevant in this particular case.

Sorry, but I`m talking an absolute bottom line minimum of six who took part in the action, and I didnt say they were ALL in the Bot.

Someone else might put the meat on the bones, but those in the know have the details. A total absolute disgrace no matter what way you look at it!

Jody wouldnt have any real top inter club management experience, due largely to the fact that he is still young enough to be playing himself for his club. His achievement at the Abbey was creditable, no doubt about that.

My own contacts, at the highest level, who worked close up with him when he was involved with Down, have always clouded my view. There were no tears spilt when he left, lets put it that way. Having said that I have not once in his two years made any negative comment about him on this forum or otherwise. I preferred to give him space to work his magic, and prove me wrong.

Even now I dont wish to get into a complete check list of where and how he failed, but any manager will be judged on the following, and this is only part of the story. Good man management, variation of training, a gameplan, consistency in disciplinary matters, motivation/mental/psychological, team bonding/team spirit, etc etc.

Its not for me to score the checklist, but I know for sure the dressing room is well and truly gone. Do I personally think Jody should go? Definitely yes. A good enough fitness coach, a nice enough fella, but under no circumstances should he be given longer to use my county as a place to serve his apprenticeship. Suit a decent club division two team in Derry or Down. For a few quid!

Nag, the captains job is to lead by example, which Sean Kelly has always done. It is not his job to pick the team. In this case the management knew of the pre match booze up and I emphasize the Bot four were not the only ones drinking that night.

The management could have dealt with one or two, but six or seven drinking was too much for them to discipline, esp as they had culled the panel a few weeks earlier.

I can only imagine how disgusted S.Kelly was at their behaviour, but what were his choices? Should he have walked at that stage? You say he should have stood up and demanded the culprits should be thrown out. Now what sort of a hullaballoo would that have caused, a few weeks before the c`ship?

Instead he bottled down and gave the c`ship his best shot, but the team spirit was in rags, and in the end his choice was made easy with the diabolical, lifeless, and gutless second half display.

Sean Kelly has tough choices to make regarding the rest of his inter county career, but I would suggest tougher choices await Dr Mc Sparran, who has done nothing wrong in his tenure to date, and more importantly Jody Gormley who has now been fully exposed at this level.

Raver, agree wholeheartedly about Sean Kelly. He was geting abuse here last week for supposedly deserting a sinking ship, some even questioning his loyalty to the county.

The real reason is coming out gradually in stages, and lets say the "Bot four" arnt the only culprits.

Sean Kelly has been a total role model to all, throughout a long and distinguished career with QUB, St Galls, and Antrim.

At this stage of his career, all he would have asked for was a sensible level of committment from ALL concerned, to drive on and secure promotion, and give the c`ship a big push.

Things must have been very bad for Kel to make that decision, and must have been horrified when the details were leaked to the press. Despite this, he has maintained a dignified silence, citing "personal"reasons, rather than take the high profile route to public shown by CJ.

Kelly is an Antrim man to the core, and a proud one at that, and hugely respected throughout Ulster. Its up to others now to step up to the plate, and demonstrate to Sean Kelly that there is something worthwhile for him to return to.

One hundred per cent behind you Kel.

Question. Is Antrim football currently in its worst ever state? Does anyone ever remember things AS bad?

Our seniors have not progressed one inch, and if Paddy Heaney, or any other, wants to outline his clear reasons for taking the opposite view, then lets have them!

Not only have our seniors stagnated, but Jody must also be held accountable for a shambles of an under twentyone set up as well.

The minors had, it must be said, a very middling season, although they showed some balls at least against a good Cavan minor team.

Working on down the list, and our sixteens were obviously the weakest team at a recent inter county blitz tournament run by Ulster Council, and to make matters worse, a few weeks later our under fifteens from the city were well beaten in all their games also!

On the plus side, Antrim sides on the Mc Larnon cup, and the Loch an Uir, very admirable and well done, but still grade B conpetition.

Its going to be a long long road, but it can be done, but some tough calls need to be made, and soon!

Was wondering how long it would take for the shit to hit the fan. Lets just say that I was informed re the drinking exploits of the Botanic Four early enough the next day to persuade me to not bother going to the must win league game.

Player power at its worst, I am afraid, and my clear information from reliable sources reveal a much worse problem.

Seems the players wanted rid of Jody from well back, and a decent finish would secure him another year.

Now lets just reflect that maybe Sean Kelly did not wish to be part and parcel of this charade, and captain of a squad that a large percentage of players could not maintain the level of committment he was prepared to give.

A few interesting days ahead of us.....and lets hope the full lid dosent come off this story!!