Antrim Football Thread

[general_lee]

So 16 teams in Division 1... what teams make up each division for 2024?

[Milltown Row2]

Some games will be handier enough to ref

[referee]

J Brady pushing to get Ballymena into div 1 but enters intermediate championship,sweet mother off fazan,what's the point

[Delgany 2nds]

J Brady pushing to get Ballymena into div 1 but enters intermediate championship,sweet mother off fazan,what's the point

They are in IFC because Dunloy are in SFC

[Spike]

perhaps there is something i am not seeing here (and i will hold my hands up if that is the case) but filling the Division 1 league with teams that are clearly nowhere near that level doesn't sound like something that will improve all round quality.   There were already 1 or 2 struggling last year (and were relegated). The only chance these teams have is to gain some points when the top teams send their reserve teams down at the start of the season. Those poorer teams may marginally improve as a result but the quality of the league as a whole declines. 

As i say, happy to be wrong. Just would like to know the proper thinking on this and why they see this as benefitting Division 1 and Antrim football.   

[Milltown Row2]

When top teams send their reserves down to the lesser teams, they may also have lesser teams out due to their own county players being unavailable, they'll suffer far more than the top teams for the loss of their better players

Getting home advantage against the stronger teams will prove important for deciding the league placings at the end for the playoffs. Hopefully the playoffs will be done prior to championship as it will provide a bitta extra spice  leading into the championship

Lets try and look at the positives before dishing it straight away

On that, was watching the lads train hard last night in prep for Sunday's important game. Need to build on that performance away last weekend

[NorthAntrim]

When top teams send their reserves down to the lesser teams, they may also have lesser teams out due to their own county players being unavailable, they'll suffer far more than the top teams for the loss of their better players

Getting home advantage against the stronger teams will prove important for deciding the league placings at the end for the playoffs. Hopefully the playoffs will be done prior to championship as it will provide a bitta extra spice  leading into the championship

Lets try and look at the positives before dishing it straight away

On that, was watching the lads train hard last night in prep for Sunday's important game. Need to build on that performance away last weekend

any signs of any of the missing lads? loughran etc

[Milltown Row2]

When top teams send their reserves down to the lesser teams, they may also have lesser teams out due to their own county players being unavailable, they'll suffer far more than the top teams for the loss of their better players

Getting home advantage against the stronger teams will prove important for deciding the league placings at the end for the playoffs. Hopefully the playoffs will be done prior to championship as it will provide a bitta extra spice  leading into the championship

Lets try and look at the positives before dishing it straight away

On that, was watching the lads train hard last night in prep for Sunday's important game. Need to build on that performance away last weekend

any signs of any of the missing lads? loughran etc

Not too many on the injured sidelines and the those not participating with full training were doing strengthening  drills. I was Ref'ing on other pitch so not sure if the ones you mentioned were there

[Delgany 2nds]

perhaps there is something i am not seeing here (and i will hold my hands up if that is the case) but filling the Division 1 league with teams that are clearly nowhere near that level doesn't sound like something that will improve all round quality.   There were already 1 or 2 struggling last year (and were relegated). The only chance these teams have is to gain some points when the top teams send their reserve teams down at the start of the season. Those poorer teams may marginally improve as a result but the quality of the league as a whole declines. 

As i say, happy to be wrong. Just would like to know the proper thinking on this and why they see this as benefitting Division 1 and Antrim football.   

In two years time it will go Div1A (8 teams), 1B (8 teams), Div 2 (10), Div 3 (8/10)

[Milltown Row2]

perhaps there is something i am not seeing here (and i will hold my hands up if that is the case) but filling the Division 1 league with teams that are clearly nowhere near that level doesn't sound like something that will improve all round quality.   There were already 1 or 2 struggling last year (and were relegated). The only chance these teams have is to gain some points when the top teams send their reserve teams down at the start of the season. Those poorer teams may marginally improve as a result but the quality of the league as a whole declines. 

As i say, happy to be wrong. Just would like to know the proper thinking on this and why they see this as benefitting Division 1 and Antrim football.   

In two years time it will go Div1A (8 teams), 1B (8 teams), Div 2 (10), Div 3 (8/10)

Until someone gets relegated    puts in a motion....

[imtommygunn]

Good test of where we're at on sunday. Hard to know with one game how good bad or indifferent the opposition were / are but I definitely thought we would get it tight with Limerick and was pleasantly surprised. Any highlights I saw of Offaly-Westmeath Offaly didn't look too bad and Westmeath are a good team. It's a good test for us but I'd be hopeful of a win.

Hopefully some of the injured players are back.

[bannside]

Don't think any of the injured are  expected back so soon ITG. Another opportunity for squad players to stake a place for increased game time. Looking forward to this one, Offaly will be a tough nut to crack but we should be thereabouts at the finish.

[imtommygunn]

Even McCann and Hynds from last week BS?

[bannside]

Team announced yesterday and its exactly the same team that played against Limerick, albeit a few positional changes. Good luck to team and all involved.

[Milltown Row2]

Never in doubt