Antrim Football Thread

[JimStynes]

Speaking to a man there about the Tailteann cup. So in theory, Antrim could make it all the way to the final which is 13th July. This would mean that there would be a good handful of players that won't have kicked a single league ball for their clubs over 15 games? Is this correct? And potentially may only get a couple of championship group games if their club doesn't progress? Jesus Christ the system is well and truly broken.

Yeah, seems totally mad.  Antrim start their leagues very early in comparison to other counties.  Maybe the solution is to start the leagues later?

That would be the obvious thing to do. Div 1 League is basically just a friendly competition at the minute. Any Div 2 or 3 team with a few county players would be at a massive disadvantage for their league. The difference in getting promoted and not!

[Milltown Row2]

Speaking to a man there about the Tailteann cup. So in theory, Antrim could make it all the way to the final which is 13th July. This would mean that there would be a good handful of players that won't have kicked a single league ball for their clubs over 15 games? Is this correct? And potentially may only get a couple of championship group games if their club doesn't progress? Jesus Christ the system is well and truly broken.

Yeah, seems totally mad.  Antrim start their leagues very early in comparison to other counties.  Maybe the solution is to start the leagues later?

That would be the obvious thing to do. Div 1 League is basically just a friendly competition at the minute. Any Div 2 or 3 team with a few county players would be at a massive disadvantage for their league. The difference in getting promoted and not!

It's only a friendly competition (DIV 1) until relegation time and then the waterworks come out 

[imtommygunn]

Ai but the playoff stuff should change a lot of that.

[Spike]

Speaking to a man there about the Tailteann cup. So in theory, Antrim could make it all the way to the final which is 13th July. This would mean that there would be a good handful of players that won't have kicked a single league ball for their clubs over 15 games? Is this correct? And potentially may only get a couple of championship group games if their club doesn't progress? Jesus Christ the system is well and truly broken.

In successful counties that was/is common enough over the years with the various different formats they used.

So do we want a successful county team or a successful club team?

If a club player believes they can win an All Ireland with their club over the county then they might throw their lot behind the club. Antrim for whatever reason, club is king

Is it?  One obvious club possibly but the remainder get behind the Saffs surely?   

[Milltown Row2]

Speaking to a man there about the Tailteann cup. So in theory, Antrim could make it all the way to the final which is 13th July. This would mean that there would be a good handful of players that won't have kicked a single league ball for their clubs over 15 games? Is this correct? And potentially may only get a couple of championship group games if their club doesn't progress? Jesus Christ the system is well and truly broken.

In successful counties that was/is common enough over the years with the various different formats they used.

So do we want a successful county team or a successful club team?

If a club player believes they can win an All Ireland with their club over the county then they might throw their lot behind the club. Antrim for whatever reason, club is king

Is it?  One obvious club possibly but the remainder get behind the Saffs surely?   

Do we though? Do we really commit to what's needed at the top table? Or do we collectively not have good footballers?

Because if we do have good footballers then we need to get them up to that level of physical fitness that we see from teams at Div 1. Seeing lads from other counties coming off the pitch in regards to ours is night and day.

Gone are the days of the stylish but light footballers, that we had many of in the past, that just doesn't count anymore. Size strength are up their with skill and application

The problem is it takes a good few years to develop a player into that type, sticking to it, is very hard.

[Ghost+Tommy]

I think it's the guy O Callaghan who has all saints playing the way they are,plus the older players in the squad seem to have a big say behind the scenes regarding the set up,not to many listen to what the Baker shouts which is mostly abuse

[Spike]

Speaking to a man there about the Tailteann cup. So in theory, Antrim could make it all the way to the final which is 13th July. This would mean that there would be a good handful of players that won't have kicked a single league ball for their clubs over 15 games? Is this correct? And potentially may only get a couple of championship group games if their club doesn't progress? Jesus Christ the system is well and truly broken.

In successful counties that was/is common enough over the years with the various different formats they used.

So do we want a successful county team or a successful club team?

If a club player believes they can win an All Ireland with their club over the county then they might throw their lot behind the club. Antrim for whatever reason, club is king

Is it?  One obvious club possibly but the remainder get behind the Saffs surely?   

Do we though? Do we really commit to what's needed at the top table? Or do we collectively not have good footballers?

Because if we do have good footballers then we need to get them up to that level of physical fitness that we see from teams at Div 1. Seeing lads from other counties coming off the pitch in regards to ours is night and day.

Gone are the days of the stylish but light footballers, that we had many of in the past, that just doesn't count anymore. Size strength are up their with skill and application

The problem is it takes a good few years to develop a player into that type, sticking to it, is very hard.

I would agree that physically we are not up to it.   We have a big side at the moment but limited with their skills.  the challenge is to get our most talented footballers physically competitive.   

[Milltown Row2]

Speaking to a man there about the Tailteann cup. So in theory, Antrim could make it all the way to the final which is 13th July. This would mean that there would be a good handful of players that won't have kicked a single league ball for their clubs over 15 games? Is this correct? And potentially may only get a couple of championship group games if their club doesn't progress? Jesus Christ the system is well and truly broken.

In successful counties that was/is common enough over the years with the various different formats they used.

So do we want a successful county team or a successful club team?

If a club player believes they can win an All Ireland with their club over the county then they might throw their lot behind the club. Antrim for whatever reason, club is king

Is it?  One obvious club possibly but the remainder get behind the Saffs surely?   

Do we though? Do we really commit to what's needed at the top table? Or do we collectively not have good footballers?

Because if we do have good footballers then we need to get them up to that level of physical fitness that we see from teams at Div 1. Seeing lads from other counties coming off the pitch in regards to ours is night and day.

Gone are the days of the stylish but light footballers, that we had many of in the past, that just doesn't count anymore. Size strength are up their with skill and application

The problem is it takes a good few years to develop a player into that type, sticking to it, is very hard.

I would agree that physically we are not up to it.   We have a big side at the moment but limited with their skills.  the challenge is to get our most talented footballers physically competitive.   

Oddly when I stopped being a regular senior hurler for the club, in my late 30's, I started training a lot more, got into triathlons and running, I did more gym/weights work than I ever did as a player or was asked to do.

6amm starts at the gym, at the gym after work most days of the week. Are we even getting that level of commitment? Andy has went for a type of player, Its down to the lads to buy into what is required.

Drinking is limited, if not stopped, clean food only, get to the targets sets by the S&C (I'm sure that has been given to players) study the game more, work on your craft, develop both feet, improve on your weakness, all sounds too much?  probably not for you

TBH I'm not entirely sure what the other counties at the top are doing, but did see a clubs training set up and it looked tough, so I'd imagine at the likes of the big counties they are at it more again 

[paddyjohn]

I think it's the guy O Callaghan who has all saints playing the way they are,plus the older players in the squad seem to have a big say behind the scenes regarding the set up,not to many listen to what the Baker shouts which is mostly abuse

What O'Callaghan? Sean?