Messages

1

General discussion / Re: The ulster rugby trial

« on: March 29, 2018, 10:43:45 PM »

Yeah I have found this whole episode sickening.

As far as the trial is concerned I always hoped the correct decision would be arrived at without knowing what the correct decision is and that remains the case.

But it is society that has well and truly sickened me. Those who 'knew' what happened that night and have been spouting off accordingly. There is a victim or victims here but for a lot of people they have ruled on the basis of the stuff floating around in their own heads.

The bad side of human nature on full display.

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Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread

« on: October 07, 2017, 08:47:35 AM »

Yeah look is this the first year ever that there may not be a Belfast side in senior final? Thats if Cargin win tomorrow but I would not be putting too much of my hard earned on that.

And if its not this year I dont think it will be too far down the line for the Johnnies. And all before St Brides get the thing harnessed.

Dont think anyone was seriously suggesting a belfast demise, its just been cargins time. Perhaps thats drawing to an end. Perhaps its just things evening up and finally more genuine competitiveness.

Hard to say about johnnies. Have they got that extra bit about them im not sure. Lamh dhearg certainly look potential champions. Its still cargins to lose but if they have an off day johnnies, lamh dhearg, creggan and st galls could shock them.  That can only be good for antrim football.

Yeah I think the Championship this year has been a breath of fresh air and much as I respect the achievements of Cargin down the years it wpuld be good to see a fresh winner this year.

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Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread

« on: October 07, 2017, 04:31:58 AM »

Yeah look is this the first year ever that there may not be a Belfast side in senior final? Thats if Cargin win tomorrow but I would not be putting too much of my hard earned on that.

And if its not this year I dont think it will be too far down the line for the Johnnies. And all before St Brides get the thing harnessed.

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Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread

« on: September 30, 2017, 09:14:38 AM »

MR2 I would be of the impression that he is very much motivated by ambition rather than money.

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Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread

« on: September 30, 2017, 08:55:13 AM »

I hope JMK maintains an ambition to manage Antrim. While no doubt he would have had a vision to get is moving fast perhaps the timing might be much better a few years down the line. There is still a fair bit of sorting out to be done from top to bottom at this stage so maybe the best time for him to walk in will be when things are at a good level and he can take them even higher. I certainly do not doubt his pedigree.

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Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread

« on: September 30, 2017, 08:43:51 AM »

MR2 this may sound like you are sticking up for Lenny and I am sticking up for John, because they are clubmen of our own.

But listen, the difference here is I could write a book about this, but that would only add fuel to the fire, and would be seen as attempting to undermine Lenny, which is strictly not true, and for that reason I won't go down that road.

So I will keep this really simple and point out that the main gripe that nearly ALL the players on the panel are having is that they know McKeevers backroom team, how credible they were, because they were top notch and top calibre, and that in contrast to a lack of anything remotely resembling this coming from Lennys camp has caused strong ripples of discontent amongst the squad.

Regarding a professional approach, knowhow, delivery etc I would expect Lenny to be competent, and I haven't heard anyone offering a different view. So be clear, no one is anti Lenny.

I think the majority of readers here will find this entirely logical, and back to my previous comment, if Lenny gets this important aspect sorted, then there is no excuse for any player who fails to commit.

What is this team in Derry getting beat in an All Ireland final thing about?

BS from time to time you do post some sh!te but that post is hard for anybody to argue with. The triumphalism of some posters on here is embarrassing. Our players aren’t stupid & they’ll know through time if the set up is decent.

More a general question but where does pandering get you? Have you worked in a situation before where the tail wags the dog and if so what was the level of success?

I am not saying we should not aim to have the best facilities, backroom setup etc but I am wary of players apparetnly showing apathy before all detail is in place at the very least.

If you had ever worked with todays generation of footballers you would know that some are too quick to find excuses.

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Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread

« on: September 30, 2017, 08:33:59 AM »

What conclusions exactly?

People here and saying cheap option, same old failings, players will not play etc. Personally I wpuld like to see everyone start on a clean slate and judge as we go.

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Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread

« on: September 29, 2017, 10:21:34 PM »

Thats fair enough BS but why are people jumping to conclusions at this stage? Or is there more info that we are not hearing?

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Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread

« on: September 29, 2017, 10:16:07 PM »

Talk about getting your excuses in early if true. Not much wonder we are performing at the level we are if players and indeed 'supporters' are apparently giving up in the womb.

In truth I suspect there are many who are prepared to weight right in behind the regime and it is just the crying baby that is being heard here.

10

Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread

« on: September 29, 2017, 09:52:43 PM »

Lots of talk coming, that certain club players wont be involved with the county this year because of who didnt get the managers job. Anyone else hearing this talk, if its true what chance has lenny got.

Heard same stuff but more a case of who got it rather than who didn't.  Mentioned this before, whether rightly or wrongly, a lot of players see Lenny as a continuation of the same old establishment system and some players don't want to engage in the amateurish set up that it has been in recent times.  There's a lot of training hours, travelling, sacrifices etc to be made and if they believe its 'as before' then they wont want to go through it all again.  Its the risk the Antrim board have taken on.

Lenny needs to sell them that he is genuinely a breath of fresh air, with new ideas, methods and mannerisms. 

If he cant, and if you want positives, then at least all those who commit themselves this year will indeed be just that - committed to the cause.  We don't really need any doubters / dissenters in that squad.

If that is the case the players involved obviously have an over inflated estimation of their own self worth. Seriously. Given the level they have or maybe have not performed at and thinking that a certain manager might not be good enough to lead them before he is even in the door Jesus wept.

11

General discussion / Re: The Offical Glasgow Celtic thread

« on: September 28, 2017, 09:42:19 AM »

The lady on the RTE Radio 1 sports bulletin has just told the nation that Celtic are in Belgium effectively playing for a Europa League spot.

Have to agree with her !

It was a very matter of fact thing to say for. It's the second game in the group. This is not an opinion piece. It's the sports news.

She was effectively telling the news.

I guess that's the group wrapped up. PSG, Bayern, Celtic, Anderlecht in that order. Everyone can rest players now.

Im not settling for that just yet.  We now have a chance to go for it against Bayern - might fail miserably but we have a shot.

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General discussion / Re: Poppy Watch

« on: September 27, 2017, 05:51:55 PM »

Main issue in Britain that is. Generally it was observed or ignored then the whole thing was hijacked to pull public sentiment towards the military and with it the failing British foreign policy. More complex than just that but this has had the effect of pushing many of those who were indifferent to it against it.

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General discussion / Re: Poppy Watch

« on: September 27, 2017, 03:14:39 PM »

The poppy is a symbol of a martial society . The British war machine still sends young men to die in pointless wars. The ones who don't die are often maimed either physically or mentally. The Sun salutes their bravery but isn't there when the marriage breaks down or at the moment of suicide. Solemnity doesn't come into it.

Again it's a charity, set up to remember the first world... don't dress it up or give it any other attention...

Plenty countries sending young men and women out to wars, been doing it for thousands of years. I doubt you have any sympathy for the deaths maimed the marriage breakdowns or suicides

Not withstanding the abuse of the poppy by unionists/loyalists here, across the water it does good work with ex soldiers. Nationalists can sometimes become so fixated on atrocities committed by the army here that they have a closed mind on this. At the end of the day the lads who join the army as ordinary soldiers very often do so to get a trade or just a decent living. Britain does not look after its soldiers well, nor does the US and so vetrans charities are necessary. Like so much of our relationship with all things British the Irish relationship with the British army is not straight forward. even the actions of soldiers in NI can be laid at the door of political ineptitude. As nationalists and republicans we need to exercise some common sense, how are you going to convince Unionists to join a UI if we treat the things that are important to them with the same disrespect they show all things irish. Two wrongs don't make a right.

Has your account been hacked? 2 in a row from you

What? I'm fairly consistent. I wouldn't ever wear a poppy, but you can't demand respect but not give it, that's the preserve of the DUP.

Main issue is not whether or not the money raised is put to good use but rather the way the propaganda machine has went into full swing since the most recent invasion of Iraq.

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Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread

« on: September 27, 2017, 02:25:29 PM »

That's a fair point Hectic. There is a lot of info involved in this process that I have been privy to, and the vast majority has remained confidential and will continue that way. I would have a lot of time for the fellas on the sub committee, would know them all well and would trust their integrity. The big question for me is whether they went for the best candidate or the best value candidate. There is a succinct but important difference.

As you say, John is well able to talk for himself.

Of course and I respect you opinion - just that it read like you were going to be giving us more of your opinion after speaking to the man - might have implied that after gaining more evidence but glad you clarified.

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Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread

« on: September 27, 2017, 11:22:35 AM »

Great first post there Saffs on Tour.  Love your "looking in from the outside", bit lol. Welcome on board, and some excellent points.

Now that the appointment has been made I want to make one or two quick points. The rest will wait until after I talk to JMK once he receives his feedback from Alec, head of the appointment committee later today.

I was firmly in the JMK corner and make no apology for that. He  is an outstanding candidate who, along with Conleth Gilligan are hugely regarded in the hotbed of club football in Derry and Tyrone. They will be hurting today, but are young enough to suck this up because they will have many good years ahead of them in top level management.

Finally, sincere congratulations to Lenny Harbinson. He is thoroughly likeable individual, and a good football man who the players will get to like and respect. 100% best wishes to him and his backroom team. I sincerely do hope he achieves his stated aim of putting pride back into Antrim Football, if that happens everyone is a winner.

BS I always find you informative and interesting but I am not sure if I was JMK I would be wanting you to announce that you will be updating us all on your views after having a conversation with him - that conversation probably better kept private IMO especially given he is an outstanding individual and manager who has years ahead of him.  I would be sure if he had anything he felt needed to be highlighted he would be well capable of doing that himself.