Antrim Football Thread

[paddyjohn]

Venues confirmed

Senior - Corrigan Park
Intermediate - Cargin
Junior - St Enda's - Ray Matthews refereeing

Corrigan a terrible venue 😉😉

[Gael-in-exile]

Are there any venues in the county capable of holding a double header?

I know pitch quality under wet weather puts it in question but otherwise does any club have 4 good quality dressing rooms, showering facilities, parking and spectator facilities??

[NAG1]

Are there any venues in the county capable of holding a double header?

I know pitch quality under wet weather puts it in question but otherwise does any club have 4 good quality dressing rooms, showering facilities, parking and spectator facilities??

I'd say there are plenty of grounds around the county that could and have accommodated a double header. I think there is a reluctance now simply from a revenue stand point to put them on any more.

[Gael-in-exile]

I'd hate to think that the club championships are thought of as a priority to generate revenue.
Yes making money is important from them but if that is priority no1 the direction of the county is heading the wrong way.

How many grounds can correctly hold double headers?

[Square Ball]

Are there any venues in the county capable of holding a double header?

I know pitch quality under wet weather puts it in question but otherwise does any club have 4 good quality dressing rooms, showering facilities, parking and spectator facilities??

I'd say there are plenty of grounds around the county that could and have accommodated a double header. I think there is a reluctance now simply from a revenue stand point to put them on any more.

But do club's want to hold them?

[AllStar15]

I'd hate to think that the club championships are thought of as a priority to generate revenue.
Yes making money is important from them but if that is priority no1 the direction of the county is heading the wrong way.

How many grounds can correctly hold double headers?

Of course they are thought of as revenue generators, otherwise we would still have straight knockout and not all this messing about with groups.

[Beirbua2024]

I think there are clubs that would welcome a double header yes as they would want to put their facilities and organisational skills on show as well as just being proud to host a final. Some would think of nothing worse especially at this time of year and that's up to them as well but I would want my clubs facilities on show to everybody else as it shows the hard work members have put into getting them to that level.

From my POV the Intermediate final has the best venue, savage amount of work done in Cargin and with the ample car parking and changing/hospitality facilities of a high standard it's a ground I would visit at any opportunity, so fair play to every member that played a part in that.

Double headers seem to be long gone for finals due to the possibility of extra time especially if it's the first game (no flood lights and preparation for teams coming on after) so imo having no replays has put the nail in the coffin for double headers. 

[Gael-in-exile]

Extra time never entered my head but would definitely impact.
I still think grounds with 2 distinct sets of changing facilities, 2 pitches etc could manage that and should be considered

[NorthAntrim]

Ballymena could host a double header that would suit the county. 4 changing rooms. Play one final on the top pitch. £10 in. Play the other final across the road. £10 in

[paddyjohn]

Ballymena could host a double header that would suit the county. 4 changing rooms. Play one final on the top pitch. £10 in. Play the other final across the road. £10 in

Great call. Would be a super idea

[EOC1923]

Ballymena could host a double header that would suit the county. 4 changing rooms. Play one final on the top pitch. £10 in. Play the other final across the road. £10 in

Fair play to Ballymena, but no harm the pitch at the clubhouse side wouldn't be deadly for a championship game

[Hectic]

Agree, their new pitch is where you would want to be playing championship fixtures.

But, as is the problem with a lot of venues, and unless anything has changed since my last time there, Ballymena be tight for parking for one big game let alone two.  Not even sure if they have an adjoining field like Ahoghill use.

[SaffronSports]

Ballymena use a few of the factories for car parking when there are big games on.

[Gael-in-exile]

Two separate pitches aren't needed for games but allow teams to warm up and in the event of a draw and extra time in the first fixture can suit those teams to manage their warm up in the delay.

[marty34]

That's the advantage of Owenbeg in Derry.

Great pitch which can easily take 2 games regardless of the conditions. Plenty of work done on the main pitch this past few years.

Plus it gets a real good break over the summer during the good weather. This helps it a lot during championship when it's used Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

As well as that, they have the back pitches for teams to warm up on. E.g. The teams in the 2nd game can go out early and warm up on the back pitches.  Then do their shooting drill on the main pitch before their game.

Good big changing rooms, good wifi etc. for streaming (I think) and a great stand.